As a result of a couple of pesticide spills in the last three years and from recent spot checks on golf courses, the Office of the Indiana State Chemist created a list of common pesticide use violations and they will likely enforce regulations more aggressively on golf courses in the future. Following is that list of violations as well as some fairly simple solutions to prevent each violation. The solutions have come from meetings with the OISC, Fred Whitford, Zac Reicher, and a number of concerned golf course superintendent groups across the state. Joe Becovitz of the OISC will discuss this topic in more detail at the Midwest Turf Expo on Thursday Jan 29 at 9:30. Please bring your questions, suggestions, and concerns to the Turf Expo.
The Problem: Drains in pesticide mix/load pads can contaminate surface water.
Solution: Do not mix/load any pesticide over a pad that contains a drain
Additional Solutions:
Construct an impervious mix/load pad with a sump
Permanently plug or seal any drains in existing mix/load pads
Perform mixing and loading over non-sloped turf areas at least 50 feet from bodies of water
Perform mixing and loading over an existing concrete surface (such as the inside of an
equipment storage shed)
The Problem: Cleaning of pesticide application equipment can contaminate surface water.
Solution: Never clean pesticide application equipment over a mix/load pad that has a drain or where
contaminated rinse water will run into a body of water.
Additional Solutions:
Minimize the cleaning of the outside of pesticide application equipment.
If cleaning is performed over a concrete pad, the rinseate should be collected and sprayed over turf.
If the cleaning is performed over turf, it should be performed over level
ground at least 50 feet from bodies of water.
The Problem: Disposing of excess spray solution may kill fish.
Solution: Never dump excess spray solution
Apply excess spray solution to labeled site.
The Problem: Many pesticide labels contain re-entry restrictions
Solution: Do not allow golfers or other unprotected persons to enter pesticide treated areas until the sprays have dried.
Additional Solutions:
Select products that have minimal re-entry restrictions
Restrict applications to parts of the course that are not in use
Spray as early in the day as possible, when the course is closed and drying time is optimal.
The Problem: Restricted use pesticides (RUP’s) have record keeping requirements
Solution: Keep a complete set of records for each RUP application.
Additional Solutions:
Select products that are not RUPs
Maintain the required RUP application records for all applications including general use pesticides
Product name Manufacterer
EPA Reg.# Amount applied
Date applied Applicator and #
Name and number of the certified supervisor
Description and approximate size of the treated area
The Problem: Grass clippings from equipment may pose a threat to surface water (primarily from nutrients
contained within the leaf).
Solution: Keep grass clippings out of bodies of water
Additional Solutions:
Remove clippings from equipment with compressed air or small broom
Disperse clippings on the golf course, not in piles
Compost clippings at least 50 feet from bodies of water
Never landfill grass clippings near bodies of water
Never dispose of grass clippings in the trash