Warning on water pollution

Monday 26th September 2005, 12:00AM BST.

ISLANDERS risk being left without water in their taps if there is a repeat of January’s pesticide pollution of Grands Vaux reservoir in the dry summer months.

Steve Smith, assistant director of health protection, warned that new controls – such as stopping farmers planting in fields in water catchment areas – may be needed on the use of spray pesticides to prevent future summer shortages.

Mr Smith has issued the warning following Thursday’s publication of the findings of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, which highlighted the potential dangers of pesticide spraying to those living near treated fields.

The report found that there was sufficient doubt about the health risks of such substances that much greater caution should be taken over their use.

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