Two important research projects into Goulburn-Murray Water's involvement with pesticides have produced positive results for water users and the environment.
The research, showcased at a recent workshop in Tatura, confirmed that current management practices are minimising pesticide residue levels in channels and protecting our native fish.
The Department of Primary Industries, CSIRO, the Cooperative Research Centre for Ecotoxicology, and Goulburn-Murray Water presented the final report on new passive sampling techniques to detect residues of pesticides used by its customers in Goulburn-Murray Water irrigation channels.
G-MW Executive Manager Planning and Environment Alex Marshall said traces of five pesticides were found, but not at levels that would adversely affect channel water users or the environment.
"The results of this exhaustive study are a tribute to our customers' care for the environment," Mr Marshall said.
"Irrigators, town water users, domestic and stock water users and those who care for the environment should have their confidence in channel water quality bolstered."
RMIT University also presented the results of a study into the effects that copper, endosulfan and the herbicides used by Goulburn-Murray Water have on Australian native fish.
"This is a ground-breaking study, as chemicals are usually only tested on overseas species, like rainbow trout, before they are passed as safe to use," Mr Marshall said.
"RMIT found that native fish can safely tolerate higher levels of the herbicides we use compared to the foreign test species.
"This confirms that we are unlikely to harm native fish, as we operate in accordance with the regulations covering these herbicides."
Mr. Marshall said Goulburn-Murray Water had commissioned the two research projects as part of its continual improvement process to fill information gaps on pesticide and herbicide residues.
"There are a couple of other similar pesticide and herbicide research projects in the pipeline, the results of which G-MW will share with government regulators, customers and the public as they become available," he said.
"As each project is completed, we review the results to see if our chemical management can be improved."