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Anglian Water has launched a trial project to reduce the amount of slug pesticides that end up in rivers and reservoirs as it aims to meet European standards.
The Slug it Out campaign will run in catchments around six reservoirs in Anglian Water’s region and aims to prevent the pesticide metaldehye from entering the watercourse and breaching levels set out in the European Union’s Water Framework Directive.
Anglian Water will pay farmers to take part in the trial project, and to use other chemicals that are easier to remove from the water supply.
The pesticide, which is harmless to humans, cannot be removed from the water at water treatment works, so any metaldehyde that enters the water is likely to breach the EU’s 0.1 microgram per litre standard for drinking water.
A team of water catchment advisors from Anglian Water will also talk to farmers about the ways they can prevent metaldehyde from finding its way into rivers and reservoirs.
Anglian Water campaign manager Lucinda Gilfoyle said: “Anglian Water spends large amounts of money removing pesticides from drinking water – this raises customers’ bills and wastes energy.
“However the one pesticide we cannot remove is metaldehyde. This is why we are embarking on a proactive, responsible catchment management approach which will benefit customers, farmers and our environment.”
The project will run in the catchment of six reservoirs: Alton Water in Suffolk; Ardleigh Reservoir near Colchester; Hollowell Reservoir, Ravensthorpe Reservoir and Pitsford Water in Northamptonshire; and Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire.
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