1. 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

2. 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

3. 1: Spills from overflow.
2: PPP left unattended.

4. Remnant:
No management of container disposal.

5. Do not operate sprayer when stationary (statement 4250).

6. Do not drain undiluted spray liquid in the field.

7. After:
Contaminated sprayer.
Jet directly on the sprayer.

8. .... Every drop counts
1 gram of PPP can contaminate 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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)

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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

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

25. 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)

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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)

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

31. Thanks for you attention
+ 9 sub -contractors