GMW water delivery services general manager Warren Blyth said they were using the chemical flumioxazin as part of their research on their weed-treatment program, which was used to treat submerged aquatic weeds that impede water delivery and quality.
“In diluted form, flumioxazin has a very low toxicity to humans and animals,” Mr Blyth said.
“While GMW’s channel network is not a natural waterway intended for use as habitat for fish or other animals it is important for us to minimise impact to aquatic life and the environment.”
The chemical is being trialled at four Murray Valley Irrigation sites this winter under an Australia Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority permit, and has been used on a smaller scale last year.
The trial’s results including flumioxazin’s efficacy, application method and control longevity will help determine how it’s used more broadly in the future.
It comes as hundreds of kilometres of channels have already been treated and more than 90 per cent of the winter program is complete.
Weed treatment programs are under way in all irrigation areas across the east, central and west irrigation areas.
Customers on affected channels have been notified to not use the water for stock, horticulture or broad-acre crops for the specified time.
GMW does not guarantee winter water supply and advises customers to fill dams and tanks to accommodate.
Mr Blyth said the shutdown gave GMW the opportunity to take on a range of treatments, including de-watering channels and spraying herbicides or injections.
“The type of treatment often depends on the type and extent of the weed and the characteristics of the channel and our water delivery and infrastructure delivery services teams work closely together to carefully plan out a targeted program each year,” he said.
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