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Sources of pollution

Spray drift

What is spray drift?

Agrichemicals are widely used in agriculture and horticulture to control insects, weeds and diseases. However, if agrichemicals are not applied carefully, spray may drift away from the target area. This is known as spray drift.

Why is spray drift a problem?

  • It can harm the environment
  • Damage valuable crops
  • Affect human and animal health
  • Affect the applicator's own health and safety.

The rules - using agrichemicals

There are rules for the use of agrichemicals in the ARC's Proposed Auckland Regional Plan: Air, Land and Water (ALW Plan). These rules must be followed, especially with the utilisation of motorised sprayers or when spraying near water.

Before using agrichemicals sprays on your property:

  • make sure to consider the full range of options available
  • make sure you or your contractor is Growsafe trained.

If you cause spray drift on someone else's land, you could face legal action and can be liable for damages. The best course of action is to prevent spray drift.

What if spray drift does occur?

If spray drift occurs you have three tasks:

  1. Reduce effects on you and your property
  2. Record the incident
  3. Report the incident.

Reduce effects

  • If you have been exposed to spray, shower and change your clothing
  • Collect evidence from exposed plants, then wash them
  • If you collect rainwater from the roof, disconnect pipes to your water tank. Do not reconnect until the roof has been washed down by rainfall.

Record the incident

To report an incident, you need evidence. Your memory may fade, so write down all the details you can, such as:

  • time and date of incident
  • weather conditions, including wind speed and direction
  • colour and smell of spray, if obvious
  • who is spraying - name if possible, description if not
  • type of equipment used (including vehicle details, such as colour and licence number)
  • location of sprayer at time spray drift occurred
  • names and addresses of witnesses.

You should also write down:

  • whether any people, animals, crops, gardens or water supplies were affected
  • symptoms noticed and time lapsed between spray drift and symptoms.

Collect samples of plants that may have been affected. Put them in separate, clean plastic bags. Label them with the date and collection point, then place in your freezer. Do it straight away, do not wait for symptoms to show up. By the time symptoms show, it may be too late to detect chemicals.

If possible, photograph and video spray drift as it occurs. Also, photograph damage caused to plants as it appears. This will help when you are asked for evidence.

Report the incident

  • Auckland Regional Council - 09 366 2000
  • your local Health Protection Officer if spraying has affected your health - 09 623 4600

The ARC can help you investigate a spray drift incident. The council can also help you work with your neighbours to find solutions and avoid further incidents.

If the spray drift incident is in contravention of the rules of the ALW Plan, enforcement action may be an option.

Spraydrift

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