Monaghan residents have been urged to consider alternatives to pesticides after a pesticide exceedance was detected in the public drinking water supply in Lough Egish.
Lough Egish serves Castleblayney, Rockcorry, and Ballybay, and an exceedance of the pesticide 2,4-D was detected as part of Irish Water's public water supply monitoring system.
However, consultation with the HSE has concluded that the levels seen do not represent a threat to public health.
2,4-D is a herbicide used for control of broadleaf weeds and is commonly used on lawns.
The Lough Egish water supply abstracts raw water from Lough Bawn, which is vulnerable to runoff from land.
Irish Water is asking users of any herbicide or pesticide products in the Lough Bawn catchment to consider the importance of this supply to local homes and businesses in the community.
