Pesticide Residues Found in Sērenes Spring
State monitoring at Sērenes spring has detected two active pesticide substances – bifenox and heptachlor epoxide. Their concentrations remain within legal limits but indicate human impact on groundwater.
/nginx/o/2026/07/06/17768014t1h6225.jpg)
The Aizkraukle Municipality, citing information from the Ministry of Climate and Energy, has reported the detection of pesticide active substances in Sērenes spring. The findings come from the national groundwater quality monitoring conducted in 2024 and 2025 by the State company "Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre" (LVĢMC).
In June 2024, bifenox and heptachlor epoxide were identified in the spring. The concentration of both substances does not exceed the permissible limit of 0.1 micrograms per litre, thus no regulatory violation has occurred. However, the presence of these compounds indicates anthropogenic pressure and underscores the need for continued monitoring, especially in areas with intensive agriculture.
Bifenox is a contact herbicide used to control weeds in wheat, barley, rye, oats, and triticale crops. Heptachlor is an insecticide whose use has been banned in Latvia since 1986. Heptachlor epoxide is a degradation product of heptachlor.
LVĢMC prepares an annual report on the status of surface and groundwater, summarizing the monitoring data. The report for 2025 is expected to be published in autumn of this year.
