Pesticide use near water

Overview

Pesticide applications in and near open bodies of water are highly regulated due to sensitive and complex natures of aquatic environments.

Open bodies of water

Open bodies of water include areas such as:

• lakes
• streams
• rivers
• irrigation canals
• other natural water bodies

It does not include areas such as:

• ponds or dugouts:
  • that have no flow off the property onto another property owner’s land
  • have an area of less than 4 hectares on private land
  • have an area of less than 0.4 hectares on public land

Rules near water

In general, pesticide application are not permitted in or within 30 m of an open body of water unless:

• you hold a pesticide special use approval
• you are working under provisions of the Environmental Code of Practice for Pesticides
• you are applying on cultivated land

Cultivated land includes:

• cropland
• improved pasture
• managed turf
• landscaped areas
• irrigation and drainage canals completely on private land with no outflow
• roadside ditches and small (less than 0.5 m wide) dry, intermittent streams
• storm water, wastewater and potable water treatment systems
• golf course hazards with no outflow off of the property.

The applicator must follow the pesticide product label’s directions. This includes instructions about buffers for aquatic habitats (such as open bodies of water).

If you need to apply a pesticide in or within 30 m of water, use the application form for a Pesticide Special Use Approval

Resources

• Pesticide Use In and Near Water fact sheet
• Environmental Code of Practice for Pesticides