Waipuna-new weed control makes a splash

The Waipuna weed control system which was first presented in the UK at a Pesticides Trust [now PAN UK] conference in 1992 has now formally arrived in the UK. Mark Davis of the Pesticides Trust reports on its impact.

The Waipuna system uses only super-heated water to kill weeds, and has been shown in independent trials to be more effective than the widely used herbicide glyphosate.
    Waipuna is initially concentrating on promoting its system to local authorities and other non-agricultural users of herbicides. During May a road show demonstrated machines at 11 stops nationwide and attracted representatives from 40 councils. According to Waipuna European manager Darrel Carlin, response has been stronger than expected in the UK. Some councils have already placed orders for machines and others are holding trials and discussing a purchase.
    The machines will be leased to users to allow Waipuna to control use, maintenance and safety, and to upgrade machines. As with herbicides, the success of weed control is highly dependent on correct use. Waipuna or its distributors will train users and ensure routine maintenance is carried out.

Counting costs
Potential customers have asked about safety issues and cost. Waipuna machines have safety certification in New Zealand and the US with whom the EU has reciprocal arrangements. Machines are manufactured in Italy to European standards and the company is pursuing EU approval.
    Using the Waipuna system in non-agricultural situations, such as weed control on road verges and other hard surfaces, is slightly more expensive than a herbicide such as glyphosate. However, the advantages include year round and all weather use which appeals to contractors who are often idle during wet or windy weather when herbicides cannot be applied. The Waipuna system has no hidden cost elements such as storage, application equipment, training, disposal, possible health damage and environmental clean-up. These are excluded from herbicide costings.
    The Waipuna system is physically slower than herbicide application, but the year round, all weather use means that work can be accurately planned over a much longer season than for herbicide application.

Green councils interested
Councils are increasingly concerned about environmental issues, and many of the first to agree to leasing the machines or those making serious investigations into its use are members of the Pesticides Trust [now PAN UK] Local Authorities Project. The Waipuna system complies well with a policy which calls for the use of least hazardous pest management methods before considering chemicals.

[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 28, June 1995, page 6]