Table of contents

Click Here for 2008 Report by Friends of the Earth into Pesticide Pollution in Victorian Water supplies 1996-2007.

What pesticides water authorities test for in Victoria.

(accumulated by FoI between the years 2006/7).

Red means a positive sample

Prometryn Up to 2006 (South West Water)

Stirofos Up to 2006 (South West Water)

Positive Pesticide Results in Victorian Water Supplies* 1998-2007

A=Atrazine, Al=Aldrin,24D=2,4-D, D=Dieldrin, G=Glyphosate, Hep=Heptachlor, Hex=Hexazinone, Hx=Hexachlorobenzene, L=Lindane, Meth=Methoxychlor, P=Pentachlorophenol, S=Simazine.

*Information based on Freedom of Information requests with various water authorities (2006-7). Based on percentage breakdown in relation to ADWG guideline limits. Other incidents likely to have occurred, but not recorded due either to water authorities not testing for that particular pesticide or FoI records not taking into account information held by regional water boards. Hence this information supplies only a fraction of the potential incidents.

Most Serious Issues Health Value Priority (from various FoI’s 2006/7 – Uncompleted) *reports of pesticide pollution only reported under Safe Drinking Water Act if pollution exceeds ADWG Health Value

1. 12/5/03 Barwon Water; Wurdee Boluc Raw Water; 2,4-D 34ug/l

2. 19/8/03 Barwon Water Wurdee Boluc Inlet Channel at Wurdee Boluc; 2,4-D 0.027mg/l (27ug/l)

3. 5/8/03 Barwon Water Stony Creek Reservoir #3 (M6/3 Pipeline); 2,4-D 0.02mg/l (20ug/l)

4. 22/6/05: Goulburn Valley Water Broken Creek at Numurkah offtake: 2,4-D: 17 µg/L

5. 13/9/00: Goulburn Valley Water Golf Club Shiffner St, Violet Town: Hexachlorobenzene: 0.004 µg/L

6. 12/7/00: Goulburn Valley Water 34 Hartwould St, Picola: Hexachlorobenzene: 0.003 µg/L

7. 2/8/00: Goulburn Valley Water 6 Bristol St, Katunga: Hexachlorobenzene: 0.003 µg/L

8. 5/10/05: Goulburn Valley Water Sunday Creek Reservoir: Pentachlorophenol 2 µg/L

9. 8/5/06: Goulburn Murray Water Nathalia Supply Broken Creek (weed control): Glyphosate 160 µg/L

10. 9/2/05: Goulburn Valley Water Goulburn River at Shepparton offtake: Hexachlorobenzene: 0.002 µg/L

11. January 1994 Colac Water Supply at Olangolah Dam & No 4 Service Basin: DDT: 2µg/L. (Data sourced from Physio-Chemical Quality Victorian Domestic Water Supplies (except Melbourne Metropolitan Areas) June 93-June 95. January 1996 Department Conservation & Natural Resources & Community Services).

12. 28/10/99 Barwon Water Highton Basin Pre Disinfection; Dieldrin 0.00003mg/l (0.03ug/l)

13. 8/5/06: Goulburn Murray Water Nathalia Supply Broken Creek (weed control): Glyphosate 85 µg/L

14. 21/12/05: Goulburn Valley Water Broken Creek at Numurkah offtake: Pentachlorophenol 1 µg/L

15. 17/7/07: Barwon Water, Inlet Channel Salt Creek Lane: Glyphosate 80 µg/L.

16. 7/2/00 Melbourne Water Johns Hill Plant (Kallista) Aldrin 0.00002 MG/L (0.02 µg/l)

17. 18/10/00: Goulburn Valley Water 3 Hotchin St, Katamatite: Heptachlor: 0.02 µg/L Irrigation Channel supplies Katamatite

11/10/99 Gippsland Water Lecki; Hexazinone 15ug/l water supply? (Hancock information)

18. 7/2/00 Melbourne Water Johns Hill Plant (Kallista) Heptachlor 0.000013 mg/l 0.013 µg/l

19. 4/3/05 Barwon Water Korweinguboora Hancock site; Hexazinone 9.4ug/l

27/9/99 Gippsland Water Lecki; Hexazinone 5µg/l water supply? (Hancock information)

20. Goulburn Murray Water. Murray Valley Irrigation Area (Katamatite) Channel 7/3. Chlorpyrifos (3) jan 06 0.0890µg/L

21. 14/3/07 Barwon Water. Gellibrand 2,4-D 0.2ug/l (guideline value 0.0001 mg/l (0.1µg/l)

22. 28/3/07 Barwon Water. Airey's Inlet 2,4-D 0.2ug/l

23. 7/3/06 South Gippsland Water. Dumbalk. Methoxychlor 2ug/l

24. 31/1/05 Barwon Water Korweinguboora Outlet; Hexazinone 1.3ug/l

25. 4/6/02 East Gippsland Water. Rocky River (Orbost Water Supply). Simazine 0.2ug/L

26. 7/3/05 Barwon Water Korweinguboora Outlet; Hexazinone 0.86ug/l

27. 7/3/05 Barwon Water Korweinguboora Outlet; Hexazinone 0.67ug/l

28. 7/3/05 Barwon Water Bostok Outlet; Hexazinone 0.58ug/l

29. 7/3/05 Barwon Water Bostok Outlet; Hexazinone 0.56 ug/l

30. 7/3/05 Barwon Water Bostok Outlet; Hexazinone 0.44ug/l

31. 5/2/07 Western Water, Glenfern Park Basin; 2,4-D 0.04ug/L

32. Goulburn Murray Water Murray Valley Irrigation Area (Katamatite) Channel 7/3 Atrazine (3) dec 05 0.056µg/L

33. Goulburn Murray Water Torrumbarry Irrigation Area Kerang Town Channel 14/2. Atrazine (13) mar 06 0.050µg/L.

34. 31/1/05 Barwon Water Korweinguboora Inlet; Hexazinone 0.37ug/l

35. Goulburn Murray Water Murray Valley Irrigation Area (Katamatite) Channel 7/3 Atrazine (3) feb 06 0.045µg/L.

36. 1/12/04 Barwon Water Stony Creek Reservoir #3 (M6/3 Pipeline); Hexazinone 0.32ug/l

37. Goulburn Murray Water Central Goulburn Irrigation Area Tatura Channel 3/5 Atrazine (8) apr 06 0.042µg/L

38. Goulburn Murray Water Central Goulburn Irrigation Area Tatura Channel 3/5 Atrazine (8) feb 06 0.041µg/L.

39. 7/2/00 Melbourne Water Johns Hill Plant (Kallista) Lindane 0.00002mg/l (0.02 µg/l

40. Goulburn Murray Water Central Goulburn Irrigation Area Tatura Channel 3/5 Atrazine (8) jan 06 0.040µg/L.

41. Goulburn Murray Water Central Goulburn Irrigation Area Tatura Channel 3/5 Atrazine (8) mar 06 0.040µg/L.

42. Goulburn Murray Water Rochester-Campaspe Irrigation Area Corop Rochester Channel 1 Atrazine (10) mar 06 0.039µg/L.

43. Goulburn Murray Water Murray Valley Irrigation Area (Katamatite) Channel 7/3 Atrazine (3) jan 06 0.038µg/L.

44. Goulburn Murray Water Torrumbarry Irrigation Area Kerang Town Channel 14/2. Atrazine (13) jan 06 04 0.038µg/L.

45. Goulburn Murray Water Rochester-Campaspe Irrigation Area Corop Rochester Channel 1 Atrazine (10) apr 06 0.036µg/L.

46. Goulburn Murray Water Torrumbarry Irrigation Area Kerang Town Channel 14/2. Atrazine (13) sep 05 0.035µg/L.

47. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Atrazine (11) apr 04 0.033µg/L.

48. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Atrazine (11) mar 05 0.032µg/L.

49. 7/3/05 Barwon Water Stony Creek Reservoir #3 (M6/3 Pipeline); Hexazinone 0.24ug/l

50. Goulburn Murray Water Murray Valley Irrigation Area (Katamatite) Channel 7/3 Atrazine (3) oct 05 0.031µg/L.

51. Goulburn Murray Water Torrumbarry Irrigation Area Kerang Town Channel 14/2. Atrazine (13) feb 06 0.031µg/L

52. May 2006 Lower Murray Water Red Cliffs Supply Atrazine 0.03ug/L.

53. May 2006 Lower Murray Water Mildura Supply Atrazine 0.03ug/L

54. May 2006 Lower Murray Water Piangil Supply Atrazine 0.03ug/L

55. Goulburn Murray Water Murray Valley Irrigation Area (Katamatite) Channel 7/3 Atrazine (3) nov 05 0.030µg/L.

56. Goulburn Murray Water Murray Murray Valley Irrigation Area (Katamatite) Channel 7/3 Atrazine (3) mar 05 0.030µg/L.

57. 31/1/05 Barwon Water Stony Creek Reservoir #3 (M6/3 Pipeline); Hexazinone 0.22ug/l

58. 7/3/05 Barwon Water Stony Creek Reservoir #3 (M6/3 Pipeline); Hexazinone 0.22ug/l

59. 31/1/05 Barwon Water Upper Stony Creek Reservoir #3; Hexazinone 0.21ug/l

60. Goulburn Murray Water Torrumbarry Irrigation Area Kerang Town Channel 14/2. Atrazine (13) apr 04 0.028µg/L.

61. 5/2/07 Western Water Kerrie Reservoir, 2,4-D 0.02ug/L

62. 7/3/05 Barwon Water Korweinguboora Outlet; Hexazinone 0.2ug/l

63. 9/11/06 Barwon Water, Moorabool WTP Combined Pre Treatment Hexazinone 0.2ug/l

64. 4/1/06 Barwon Water Stony Creek Reservoir #3 (M6/3 Pipeline); Hexazinone 0.2ug/l

65. 7/2/06 Barwon Water Stony Creek Reservoir #3 (M6/3 Pipeline); Hexazinone 0.2ug/l

66. 4/3/05 Barwon Water Bannockburn Basin Hexazinone 0.19ug/l (guideline value 0.002mg/l (2µg/l)

67. 3/5/06 Barwon Water Stony Creek Reservoir #3 (M6/3 Pipeline); Hexazinone 0.19ug/l

68. Goulburn Murray Water Central Goulburn Irrigation Area Tatura Channel 3/5 Atrazine (8) dec 05 0.025µg/L.

69. 31/1/05 Barwon Water Upper Stony Creek Reservoir #2; Hexazinone 0.18ug/l

70. 5/4/06 Barwon Water Stony Creek Reservoir #3 (M6/3 Pipeline); Hexazinone 0.18ug/l

71. Goulburn Murray Water Rochester-Campaspe Irrigation Area Corop Rochester Channel 1 Atrazine (10) oct 05 0.024µg/L.

72. 3/5/06 Barwon Water Moorabool Combined Pre Treatment; Hexazinone 0.17ug/l

73. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Atrazine (11) oct 05 0.022µg/L.

74. Goulburn Murray Water Torrumbarry Irrigation Area Kerang Town Channel 14/2. Atrazine (13) nov 05 0.022µg/L

75. 7/3/06 Barwon Water Stony Creek Reservoir #3 (M6/3 Pipeline); Hexazinone 0.16ug/l

76. 7/3/05 Barwon Water Upper Stony Creek Reservoir #2; Hexazinone 0.15ug/l

77. 7/3/05 Barwon Water Upper Stony Creek Reservoir #2; Hexazinone 0.15ug/l

78. 15/12/06 Barwon Water, Moorabool WTP Combined Pre Treatment Hexazinone 0.15 ug/l

79. Goulburn Murray Water Central Goulburn Irrigation Area Tatura Channel 3/5 Atrazine (8) apr 05 0.02µg/L.

80. Goulburn Murray Water Rochester-Campaspe Irrigation Area Corop Rochester Channel 1 Atrazine (10) feb 06 0.020µg/L.

81. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Atrazine (11) mar 05 0.018µg/L.

82. Goulburn Murray Water Murray Valley Irrigation Area (Katamatite) Channel 7/3 Atrazine (3) sep 05 0.017µg/L.

83. Goulburn Murray Water Rochester-Campaspe Irrigation Area Corop Rochester Channel 1 Atrazine (10) sep 05 0.017µg/L.

84. 7/2/07 Barwon Water, Moorabool WTP Combined Pre Treatment Hexazinone 0.13 ug/l

85. 5/4/06 Barwon Water Moorabool Combined Pre Treatment; Hexazinone 0.12ug/l

86. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Atrazine (11) sep 05 0.016µg/L.

87. 7/6/06 Barwon Water Moorabool Combined Pre Treatment; Hexazinone 0.11ug/l

88. 8/8/06 Barwon Water, Moorabool WTP Combined Pre Treatment Hexazinone 0.11 ug/l

89. 7/3/07 Barwon Water, Moorabool WTP Combined Pre Treatment Hexazinone 0.11 ug/l

90. 3/5/07 Barwon Water, Moorabool WTP Combined Pre Treatment Hexazinone 0.11 ug/l

91. 4/3/05 Barwon Water Montpellier Basin #4; Hexazinone 0.1ug/l

92. 7/3/05 Barwon Water East Moorabool River Hexazinone 0.086ug/l

93. 7/6/06 Barwon Water Stony Creek Reservoir #3 (M6/3 Pipeline); Hexazinone 0.084ug/l

94. Goulburn Murray Water Rochester-Campaspe Irrigation Area Corop Rochester Channel 1 Atrazine (10) mar 05 0.011µg/L.

95. 31/1/05 Barwon Water Bungal Creek at Crossing on Slocombe Track; Hexazinone 0.082ug/l

96. 5/10/06 Barwon Water, Moorabool WTP Combined Pre Treatment Hexazinone 0.082 ug/l

97. Goulburn Murray Water Central Goulburn Irrigation Area Tatura Channel 3/5 Atrazine (8) jan 05 0.01µg/L.

98. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Atrazine (11) oct 04 0.01µg/L.

99. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Atrazine (11) nov 04 0.01µg/L.

100. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Atrazine (11) dec 04 0.01µg/L.

101. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Atrazine (11) feb 05 0.01µg/L.

102. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Atrazine (11) apr 05 0.01µg/L.

103. Goulburn Murray Water Torrumbarry Irrigation Area Kerang Town Channel 14/2. Atrazine (13) dec 04 0.01µg/L.

104. 4/1/06 Barwon Water Moorabool Combined Pre Treatment; Hexazinone 0.071ug/l

105. 4/7/07 Barwon Water, Moorabool WTP Combined Pre Treatment Hexazinone 0.06 ug/l

106. 7/3/06 Barwon Water Moorabool Combined Pre Treatment; Hexazinone 0.058ug/l

107. 7/3/05 Barwon Water Korweinguboora Inlet; Hexazinone 0.051ug/l

108. 7/3/05 Barwon Water Bungal Creek at Crossing on Slocombe Track; Hexazinone 0.047ug/l

109. 15/12/06 Barwon Water, Moorabool WTP Combined Pre Treatment Hexazinone 0.032 ug/l

110. Goulburn Murray Water Rochester-Campaspe Irrigation Area Corop Rochester Channel 1 Endosulfan (10) dec 04 0.0027µg/L

111. Goulburn Murray Water Rochester-Campaspe Irrigation Area Corop Rochester Channel 1 Endosulfan (10) sep 05 0.0024µg/L

112. Goulburn Murray Water Rochester-Campaspe Irrigation Area Corop Rochester Channel 1 Endosulfan (10) nov 05 0.0023µg/L

113. Goulburn Murray Water Central Goulburn Irrigation Area Tatura Channel 3/5 Endosulfan (8) nov 05 0.0020µg/L

114. Goulburn Murray Water Rochester-Campaspe Irrigation Area Corop Rochester Channel 1 Endosulfan (10) jan 05 0.0020µg/L

115. Goulburn Murray Water Rochester-Campaspe Irrigation Area Corop Rochester Channel 1 Endosulfan (10) oct 04 0.0017µg/L

116. Goulburn Murray Water Rochester-Campaspe Irrigation Area Corop Rochester Channel 1 Endosulfan (10) dec 05 0.0017µg/L

117. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Endosulfan (11) jan 05 0.0017µg/L

118. Goulburn Murray Water Rochester-Campaspe Irrigation Area Corop Rochester Channel 1 Endosulfan (10) nov 04 0.0015µg/L

119. Goulburn Murray Water Rochester-Campaspe Irrigation Area Corop Rochester Channel 1 Endosulfan (10) feb 05 0.0015µg/L

120. Goulburn Murray Water Rochester-Campaspe Irrigation Area Corop Rochester Channel 1 Endosulfan (10) mar 05 0.0015µg/L

121. Goulburn Murray Water Rochester-Campaspe Irrigation Area Corop Rochester Channel 1 Endosulfan (10) apr 05 0.0015µg/L

122. Goulburn Murray Water Rochester-Campaspe Irrigation Area Corop Rochester Channel 1 Endosulfan (10) jan 06 0.0015µg/L

123. Goulburn Murray Water Rochester-Campaspe Irrigation Area Corop Rochester Channel 1 Endosulfan (10) feb 06 0.0015µg/L

124. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Endosulfan (11) oct 04 0.0015µg/L

125. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Endosulfan (11) nov 04 0.0015µg/L

126. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Endosulfan (11) dec 04 0.0015µg/L

127. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Endosulfan (11) feb 05 0.0015µg/L

128. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Endosulfan (11) mar 05 0.0015µg/L

129. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Endosulfan (11) apr 05 0.0015µg/L

130. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Endosulfan (11) sep 05 0.0015µg/L

131. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Endosulfan (11) dec 05 0.0015µg/L

132. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Endosulfan (11) jan 06 0.0015µg/L

133. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Endosulfan (11) feb 06 0.0015µg/L

134. Goulburn Murray Water Pyramid Boort Irrigation Area West Boort Channel 5. Endosulfan (11) feb 06 0.0015µg/L

135. Goulburn Murray Water Torrumbarry Irrigation Area Kerang Town Channel 14/2. Endosulfan (13) sep 05 0.0015µg/L

136. Goulburn Murray Water Murray Valley Irrigation Area (Katamatite) Channel 7/3 Endosulfan (3) sep 05 0.0007µg/L

More Readings (No ADWG levels for these pesticides):

October 2005: Goulburn Murray Water Torrumbarry Irrigation Area Kerang Town Channel 14/2. Bifenthrin 100µg/L, Esfenvalerate 65µg/L, Taufluvalinate 75µg/L.

October 1998: Goulburn Valley Water: Unidentified pesticide peaks Mooroopna Offtake - Goulburn River

Acrolein – Southern Rural Water No ADWG or WHO guidelines for Acrolein. 9/11/05 Heyfield intermittent town supply 10.55 0.003ppm (3ppb) 9/11/05 Heyfield intermittent town supply 11.20 2.978ppm (2978ppb) 9/11/05 Heyfield intermittent town supply 11.40 2.825ppm (2825ppb) 9/11/05 Heyfield intermittent town supply 12.00 2.334ppm (2334ppb) 9/11/05 Heyfield intermittent town supply 14.00 0.427ppm (427ppb)

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

Table 10.11 Guideline values for pesticides

a - These are generally based on the analytical limit of determination (the level at which the pesticide can be relianbly detected using practicable, readily available and validated analytical methods). If a pesticide is detected at or above this value the source should be identified and action taken to prevent further contamination

b - Based on 10% of acceptable daily intake (ADI).

c - These pesticides have either been detected on occasions in Australian drinking water or their likely use would indicate that they may be occasionally be detected.

Note: Routine monitoring for pesticides is not required unless potential exists for contamination of water supplies.

Past studies

Pilot Survey of pesticide levels in water and sediments of streams in agricultural catchments

Publication No:142 March 1982 Water Quality Branch Environment Protection Authority, 240 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne 3002

The map below shows approximate testing locations in the above study.

Pilot Survey of pesticide levels in water and sediments of streams in agricultural catchments (Werribee & Little River Catchments)

Publication No:142 March 1982 Water Quality Branch Environment Protection Authority, 240 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne 3002

The map below shows approximate testing locations in the above study.

Werribee- Little River Sediment Analysis

Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in Water & Sediments from the Ovens and King Rivers, North East Victoria, Australia

F. McKenzie-Smith, D. Tiller, D. Allen EPA Victoria, State Chemistry Laboratory

Published in Arch. Environ Contam. Toxicol. 26, 483-490 (1994)

p485 "Residues of dieldrin and total DDT (DDT and its metabolites DDE and DDD) were detected in sediment samples at all sites...No other organochlorines were detected." "Dieldrin was found at levels considerably lower than TDDT but in the same order of magnitude"

Site 1: Just down from junction of Buckland and Ovens Rivers - downstream of Porepunkah. Sediments: Site one had the lowest mean concentration of TDDT (6.3 ng/g). The maximum dieldrin concentration (42 ng/g) was measured at site 1 (mean 6 ng/g)

Site 2: Ovens River upstream of Myrtleford. Sediments: "Site two had the highest mean concentration of TDDT (31.9 ng/g)" Sites 2 and 4 averaged 5ng/g dieldrin. Seastar Samples: Site two had the highest concentrations of TDDT (maximum 1.4ng/L, mean 1.27ng/L) measured in a sample from an area of slow current flow. The highest dieldrin concentrations were also measured at site 2 (maximum 1.21ng/l in the fast current area, mean 0.98ng/L). Storm event: There were detectable levels of TDDT and dieldrin residues in all water samples collected from both sites during the storm event.At site 2, between 6 and 16h, the mean concentration of TDDT was 5.0 ng/L. An anomalous high concentration (342 ng/L TDDT) was detected at 8hr. Notably this was the only water sample which contained metabolic residues of DDT.Dieldrin was detected only once at site 2 at 10h.

Site two: Concentrations of DDD, DDE, DDT, total DDT, and dieldrin residues (ng/L) in water and Seastar samples during flow event.

Site 3: Downstream of Myrtleford & Buffalo River on Ovens River. Sediments: The mean concentration of TDDT residues at site three was 24 ng/g. Sites 3 and 5 averaged 3 ng/g dieldrin. Seastar samples: Sites three and four had mean TDDT concentrations of 0.95ng/L and 0.73ng/L respectively. Sites 3 and 4 had similar dieldrin concentrations with means of 0.77ng/l and 0.60ng/l. respectively. Storm event: There were detectable levels of TDDT and dieldrin residues in all water samples collected from both sites during the storm event.The maximum residue concentration measured at site 3 was 16ng/l of DDT in one sample at 6h. The mean concentration of TDDT residues (8.6 ng/l) detected in the first 16h of the storm event at site 3, was higher than in the latter 16h (6.0ng/L). At site 3, dieldrin was detected in each sample in the first 12h of sampling.

NA=not available. ND-not detected.

Site 4: Upstream of Edi on the King River. Sediments: The mean concentration of TDDT residues at site four was 25ng/g. Sites 2 and 4 averaged 5ng/g dieldrin. Seastar samples: Sites three and four had mean TDDT concentrations of 0.95ng/L and 0.73ng/L respectively. Sites 3 and 4 had similar dieldrin concentrations with means of 0.77ng/l and 0.60ng/l. respectively.

Site 5: Downstream of Cheshunt on the King River. Sediments: Sites 3 and 5 averaged 3 ng/g dieldrin.

Biocide Contamination in the Aquatic Environment. A study of the Ovens and King Rivers Region. EPA Scientific Series SRS 90/004

p15 Biocide Residue Concentrations in Seastar XAD-2 Resin Columns and Suspended Solids Residue (SS) (ngl-1)

No other organochlorine residues were detected. Organophosphate and synthetic pyrethroids not detected

Sediments

DDT and its metabolites were detected in all sites except at Smoko on the Ovens River and at Myrrhee on Boggy Creek. Endosulfan was detected at Lower River Road.

Dieldrin were not detected at any of the site. The levels of total DDT residue observed in this study are similar to the range observed in the Ovens and King Rivers in 1984

Biocide Residue Concentrations in Sediments Collected from the Ovens and King Rivers 1984 (ug kg-1)

Source Fitzpatrick and Sutherland 1984. T=Trace. Detection Limit 5ug/ kg-1

p19 Storm event

"There were no organophosphate or pyrethroid residues detected in any of the water samples collected during the storm event. Organochlorine residues were detected in several samples"

Biocide concentrations in waters of the Ovens and King Rivers during a storm event on 21-22 March 1989 (ng l-1). (For each site figures are totals for the entire sampling period).

p22 "The total DDT residue concentrations of 3800 ng l-1 measured at the Ovens River research station, was above the threshold values of the EPA criteria and World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for safe drinking water and was well above the criterion for ecosystem protection. This level of total DDT was as high as the maximum concentrations measured in other intensively sprayed agricultural catchments (Fitzpatrick and Sutherland 1983, Fitzpatrick et al in prep, Thoma 1988).

Dieldrin was detected in samples from both the Ovens and King Rivers. The concentrations at Edi approached and on one occasion exceeded the values for WHO safe drinking water guidelines.."

Horticultural Pesticides in residues in water. Research report No.146 Department Agriculture November 1993.

Location of sampling sites, Mitchell Valley.

Surface and groundwater analyses, Mitchell Valley, 1992 - (please note that Site 1 is approximately the location of the offtake to the water supplies of several towns in East Gippsland).

Surface and groundwater analyses, Mitchell Valley 1993 - ug/L

- not assayed, ND not detected, (g) grazing property, (v) vegetable property, (u) upstream from horticultural area, (d) downstream from horticultural area.

Horticultural pesticide residues in water. A survey of pesticide residues conducted in Gippsland Victoria, 1994 Agriculture Victoria, Research Report Series No. 146 Feb 1995

Surface and groundwater analyses, Gippsland 1994 - Pesticides Detected ug/L

For image above: A=atrazine, M= Metribuzin, L=Lindane, D=Diuron, S=Simazine, Me=Methamidophos, D-Dieldrin, D*=DDT/DDE/DDD, E=Endosulfan, C=Chlorpyrifos, Di=Dimethoate

detections below ug/L

ND=not detected, (u) or (d)=upstream or downstream of horticultural areas. E*=Endosulfan

Results

p9 "Samples of surface water collected in February following heavy rainfall were very turbid.

Pesticide residues were detected in samples from four areas" Rosebud, Koo-wee-rup, Orbost and Bairnsdale. No pesticides were detected in samples from the Thorpdale area. With the exception of bromacil, all pesticides were detected. The concentrations of pesticides measured were generally below the ANZECC or USEPA environmental guidelines for fresh waters.

Most detections were in surface water samples although pesticides were detected in groundwater from the Rosebud and Orbost districts. Metribuzin and linuron were detected in groundwater from Rosebud (site 3) while atrazine was detected in groundwater from Orbost (site 17). The concentrations of the pesticides detected in these groundwater samples were below the ANZECC and USEPA environmental guidelines.

In surface water samples, the concentrations of pesticides exceeded guidelines at Orbost (site 16) and Bairnsdale (site 21). Atrazine exceeded USEPA guidelines at both sites when samples were collected after heavy rainfall. Chlorpyrifos exceeded the ANZECC guidelines at site 21 when sampled at the end of the summer spraying season in March.

Endosulfan also exceeded the ANZECC guidelines at site 21. The total endosulfan concentration (a, b and SO4) exceeded guidelines after heavy rainfall in February and in March. In February, the endosulfan detected was entirely in the sulfate form. In March, the both isomers and the sulfate form were detected.

The Orbost and Bairnsdale samples were also screened for organochlorines other than endosulfan. Dieldrin was detected in the Snowy River downstream from the horticultural area. Both dieldrin and DDT were detected in the Mitchell River upstream from the horticultural area. All detections of dieldrin and DDT exceeded the ANZECC guidelines for freshwater."

Approximate locations for positive organochlorine pesticides conducted during various studies 1982-1994

foe draft