EPA targets pesticide impacts in Hearnes Lake catchment

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is focusing on horticultural farms in the Hearnes Lake Catchment Area to protect local waterways and aquatic life from pesticide runoff and impacts.

Nine recent inspections conducted by the EPA saw two cucumber growers issued with Clean-up Notices to manage their pesticides.

The cucumbers farmers must remove old containers, plants and sawdust found near Houp Gully, a sub-catchment of Hearnes Lake. The discarded items located near the waterway were potentially contaminated with pesticide.

The notice also requires the farmers to stop water containing fertiliser being discharged into the gully.  

EPA Director of Regulatory Operations Steve Orr said more local inspections are planned and warned anyone found using pesticides irresponsibly will face regulatory action.

“We want to ensure our waterways and our sensitive environment stays clean and safe and producers have a responsibility to manage their operations in accordance with environmental laws. The EPA’s website has information on preventing pesticide misuse and if farmers need more information they can call the Environment Line on 131 555.”

The upcoming inspections of horticulture properties in the region will focus on pesticide use, storage, record keeping and wastewater management.

In November, the EPA carried out water sampling at six sites in Houp Gully and low levels of the poisonous insecticide imidacloprid were identified.

“Whilst low levels were detected, imidacloprid is toxic to fish and aquatic species living in these waterways,” Mr Orr said.

The EPA is continuing to investigate the use of imidacloprid-based pesticides locally to ensure it is applied to crops in accordance with legal requirements.

No other pesticides were detected in the waterways.

The EPA’s water quality tests were conducted after the Hearne’s Lake Catchment Management Group contacted the EPA with results from their own water sampling. 

A person convicted of wilfully or negligently using a pesticide in a manner that harms any non-target animal or plant can be fined up to $120,000 or $250,000 in the case of a corporation.

Water quality is important to both human health and the environment. If anyone has information on the misuse of pesticides please contact the EPA on 131 555.