Download Water_stew_SS_12-99v2

Protecting Water Quality
Why Professional
Applicators Must Care
Pesticides in water
Detections on the rise.
23 pesticides found in some urban streams.
Routine “hits” after storms; seasonal spikes.
Laws in place, more coming
Clean Water Act.
Endangered Species Act.
State programs.
New target: non-point source pollution.
Public pressure
Media coverage spotlights pesticides in
water.
Activists keep pressure on issue.
Public wants clean water.
Pointing fingers
Pesticide sources: ag, urban, industrial.
Are we part of the problem?
Must make sure we aren’t.
Starts by taking personal responsibility.
Regulations: coming soon?
Professional applicators easier to
regulate than the public.
Mandated buffers.
Restrictions on specific products.
Mandated water sampling.
Increased fines.
Pest control vs. pesticides
Prevent the problem - use IPM.
Control pests by avoiding them in the first
place.
Pest survival needs: air, water, food and
shelter.
Take these away, pests go away, too.
IPM foundation
Identify where pest coming from.
Seal entry points: cracks and crevices.
Remove habitat where pests live:
wood, leaves, paper.
Trim shrubs, other vegetation away from
homes and buildings.
Consider all options
Pull out diseased and dead plants.
Prune off infested branches.
Make sure plants are receiving proper
fertilizer and water.
Use beneficial insects when practical.
Use Bt products when possible.
Use baits to control ants.
Best Management Practices
If you choose pesticides, follow BMPs.
Right product for right job.
Precautions at treatment site.
Proper disposal.
Common sense.
Product selection
Identify the pest before choosing a
product.
Use lowest dosage on the label.
Surfactants or stickers can keep products
from washing off.
Choose the right formulation
Different types of formulations work better
for different seasons and sites.
Granules may float away in the rain and
contaminate water.
Micro-encapsulated products can protect
sensitive sites.
Mixing pesticides
Mix and load on an impervious pad with
provisions for collecting and reusing spills.
Plan ahead - mix only what’s needed.
(Prevents disposal problems and saves
money.)
Before you spray...
Before you treat, scout the site.
Locate street storm water drains, streams,
ponds, wetlands and areas of natural
runoff.
Determine direction of run-off flow.
Mentally picture where accidental spill or
hose rupture might flow.
Manage drift
Nozzle size - larger droplets drift less.
Lower pressure drifts less.
Humidity and air inversions increase drift.
Dust and granules can drift, too.
Mist, dust and granules that land on
driveways, decks and other hard surfaces
can wash into water.
Drift and run-off
Avoid spraying when windy.
Drift that settles on pavement or walk ways
can wash into storm drains.
Avoid spraying during rainstorms.
Do not apply pesticides within 6-10 feet of
any water body.
Always ensure that no pesticides enter
water.
Stop irrigation runoff
Efficient irrigation wets only the active root
zone, does not cause runoff.
Slopes require short, frequent irrigations.
When products require watering in
(fertilizer/herbicide combinations), use
frequent, light waterings to prevent runoff.
Notify the customer about proper irrigation
to prevent runoff.
Use-up leftovers, rinsewater
Never pour leftover pesticides down any
type of drain.
Use leftovers on a site specified on the
label: don’t dump.
Reuse rinsewater in next batch.
Clean-up & sprayer up-keep
When cleaning equipment, capture rinse
water and reuse according to label
directions.
Calibrate your sprayer or spreader
following manufacturer specifications.
Periodically replace nozzles.
Managing spills
Don’t wash away spills - runoff can
pollute.
First, stop the leak!
Wrap a rag around a split hose.
Close the shut-off valve.
Dam spill path if headed for drain or
waterway.
Clean-up spills immediately.
Spill clean-up tips
Keep supply of absorbent material on
hand.
Best buys:
10-pound bag of pet litter.
Super-absorbent paper towels
Operator must have access to MSDS or
product label during all mixing and loading.
Common questions
Is it really us?
Are we really affecting the food chain of
fish?
Are there sublethal effects to ecology?
Best response
Keeping pesticides out of water: the right
thing to do.
Use due caution, due care.
Could loose products if we don’t.
Only you can prevent surface water
contamination.