Train Operators to Prevent Point Sources – an EU – Life and ECPA funded project Entry routes of PPP into water TOPPS project Awareness and risk perception Point source significance Filling : risk and mitigation measures Cleaning: risk and mitigation measures Outlook Manfred Röttele TOPPS project manager Working group E, Priority Substances, March 3rd

Definitions: two main entry routes of PPP into water Point source Diffuse source Point sources are related to the handling of pesticides Key risky working processes are the Filling of sprayer Cleaning of sprayer Management of contaminated solutions after spraying (Remnant management) Diffuse sources are mainly related to the application of pesticides and are influenced by soil conditions and weather Runoff from fields Drift

1: Spills from overflow. 2: PPP left unattended.

Remnant: No management of container disposal.

Do not operate sprayer when stationary (statement 4250).

Do not drain undiluted spray liquid in the field.

After: Contaminated sprayer. Jet directly on the sprayer.

.... Every drop counts 1 gram of PPP can contaminate 10.000 cubic metre of water to reach the limit of 0,1 µ / l (the drinking water threshhold) Why is pesticides in surface and ground water a problem. High concentrations can harm fish, insects and other fauna in streams. Treshold limit for drinking water is very low.

TOPPS Objectives and scope is aimed at identifying  Best Management Practices and disseminating them through advice, training and demonstrations at a larger co-ordinated scale in Europe with the intention of reducing losses of plant protection Products (PPP) to water FI SE DK H UK NL TOPPS BE PL CZ DE FR SK IT FR ES 15 Member states 12 Partners 9 Contractors PT

TOPPS fits with EU legislation framework Drinking Water Directive 1980 EC 91/414 Training on waterprotection Guidance on PoM OSPAR Convention 1990 Water Framework Directive 2000 6th Environmental Action Plan 6th Framework Program for R&T Development Reach EQS Directive 2005 Groundwater Directive Marine Directive EC 91/414 Revision Training operators Best Management Practices Soil Thematic Thematic Strategy on sust. use of pesticides 2010 Soil Framework Directive Sustainable us Directive Source: Syngenta

TOPPS – PROJECT STEPS Completed Ongoing Common Awareness Surveys Upscaling / Proposal Gaps Riskmanagement Measures Dissemination Info / Demo Training tools Farmers Advisers Stakeholders Completed Common Best Management Practice Awareness Surveys StakeholdersFarmers 6 Pilot areas Ongoing Inventory Materials Experts Database

Point source pollutions can be avoided Stakeholder awareness ( 9 countries) Perceived Point Source significance ? Chance for easiest reduction ? Point source pollutions can be avoided Stakeholder survey n= 600

Farmers rate on average lower but in principle similar to stakeholders Perceived point sources risks by working processes Stakeholders Farmers (6 catchments/countries) Farmers rate on average lower but in principle similar to stakeholders Rating: 5 very important...1 not important

Farmers perception of potential risks is not homoginious Awareness is not homogeneous Similar pattern in other catchments found (Example: Italian study n=200) Challenge ! How can we get awareness and information to those farmers, which are not reached by information and advice today ? Need for Training and advice is obvious Implementation concepts needed 21% 44% 35% Rating: 5 very important...1 not important

Risk perception of point sources by working processes About 20 to 35% of Farmers are evaluating point source risk specific by working processes 65 to 80% of the farmers are not differenciating between working processes ......only those which are aware of the risks will be able to change behaviour and manage risks better

Point sources significance widely underestimated Few studies available , where point and diffuse sources were clearly separated Focus was more given to diffuse sources in past TOPPS estimates that point sources contribute > 50% to the PPP pollution of surface water

Casestudy: Point source measurement in Hessen, Germany Presented by Prof. Frede Univ.Giessen at TOPPS Forum Germany Oct 2006 (changed) Arable area Farms located in village Sewage plant Village with farms More than 85 % of arable farmers handle PPP on farm Measurement 1 Measurement 3 Measurement 2

Relative PPP findings by contamination sources 5 Catchment areas in Hessen / Germany from 33 35 25 5 23 diffuse sources from Point sources 67 65 75 95 77 Catchment area 1900 km² 25km² 20km² 7 km² 50 km² Presented by Prof. Frede Univ. Giessen at TOPPS Forum Germany Oct 2006 (changed)

Before spraying ( filling) Critical working processes and mitigation measures Before spraying ( filling)

Avoid spills – handling of concentrated PPP (Filling process) Working Process: Before spraying Avoid spills – handling of concentrated PPP (Filling process) ....how often do you spill your coffee? ....how often must a farmer deal with measuring and filling of PPP ? Variables Number of sprayer fills tank capacity water volume spray area Number of applications by crop Number of products used per application X X A farmer may handle in a season concentrated PPP about 70 to 150 times

Before spraying – Filling process Arable Farmers fill their sprayers mainly on farm (TOPPS Catchments survey (%)) Aspects to consider Measuring and filling of PPP concentrate Filling the spray tank with water (Disconnect water supply from spray solution avoid tank overfow) Avoid any contact to surface water (keep distance) Rinse empty containers and dispose correctly

Filling on farm needs precautionary measures TOPPS catchments survey(water collected mainly through slurry tanks) Filling places often not equiped to collect spills or tank overflow If filling on farm precautionary measures to collect spills , tank overflow needed (BMPs) * Catchment DE in area where water industry supports since 15 years washing places, ** IT catchment vine area

Filling from intermediary tanks lowest risk TOPPS catchments survey (% farmers) Disconnect water supply from spray solution Technical means necessary to avoid any contamination (avoid backflow) * Catchment DE in area where water industry supports advice since 15 years

After spraying ( cleaning) Critical working processes and mitigation measures After spraying ( cleaning)

Rel. reduction of PPP pollution in 5 catchments sewage plants Changes after intensive training and transfer of sprayer cleaning to the field .- Study:Univ. Giessen Hessen /Germany Rel. reduction of PPP pollution in 5 catchments sewage plants The cleaning process of the sprayer transfered to the field is able to reduce the point source pollution by about 70% Presented by Prof. Frede Univ Giessen at TOPPS Forum Germany Oct 2006 (changed)

Why is the correct sprayer cleaning so important ? After spraying some spray solution remains in the sprayer due to technical reasons (Total residual volume) Current standards for Fieldsprayers If the cleaning is not done properly some of these residual volumes may end up in the water Arable Farmers clean their sprayers 7 to 10 times / season* Standards are not demanding enough and not enforced * TOPPS farmer surveys in catchments

Clean sprayer in the field lowest risk ! Technical enabler : Rinse water tank BMPs recommendations: Carry rinse water Dilute residual volume Spray contaminated diluted solution out in the field (FR regulation dilution to 1%, DK regulation dilution to 2%) Bring only (if any) lowest amount of contaminated solution back to the farm Available equipment on sprayers (%)* *farmer surveys catchments

Cleaning procedure important for best dilution Option 1: Multiple rinsing Option 2: TOPPS clean (1 step)* Logarithmic dilution But technical upgrade necessary (pump/valve) Less water better dilution Takes time, less convenient faster, more convenient * Tests carried out by partner LWK-NRW Germany

Cleaning on farm needs precaution First cleaning on the field always necessary If further cleaning on farm precautionary measures needed Collection of washing water (slurry tank) Collection of washing water (treatment in biobed or biofilter)

Point sources can be avoided ! - Implement BMPs Strategic elements Correct Behaviour Improved Equipment Improved Infrastructure Implementation needs Right Focus Support Good will

Thanks for you attention + 9 sub -contractors