The North-Rhine Westphalia Public Works
Department and the Water Supplies Authority have detected residues of the
herbicide diuron in drinking water they supply, despite its use being strictly
controlled in Germany. The source of this contamination comes mostly from
private gardens, allotments, housing estates and commercial areas.
The Public Works Department is calling on all amateur
gardeners and householders to be especially careful when using diuron, and to
consider whether they really need to use it at all. The pollution reaches a
critical level when it is used in confined areas where excess water can flow
into drainage pipes and sewers: for example garages, drives, parking areas,
footpaths, flat areas used for storage, loading and business concerns. Usage in
public open spaces may also cause a risk of contamination.
Use of diuron in confined areas is now prohibited and subject
to of fines up to DM100,000.
The handling of waste (leftovers and water used for cleaning
tools and containers) is also a worry for the authorities. No waste should get
into the sewers. Packaging must go into the special rubbish collection.
Soester Anzeiger (North-Rhine Westphalia Newspaper), 2 May 1997.
[This
article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 37,
September 1997, page 17]