For Immediate Release: 9/23/2019 8:13 am
The City of Worcester Department of Public Works & Parks has contracted for the application of the herbicide fluridone (trade name Sonar) to Coes Reservoir for Tuesday, September 24, 2019. We advise all persons to stay out of the water, discontinue boat use and fishing, and keep their pets out of the water for the day of the treatment, so as not to interfere with herbicide application. Additionally, use of water from Coes Reservoir for irrigation should be discontinued for the next 60 days. Beaches will be posted prior to the application. The water will be safe for all uses apart from irrigation on Wednesday, September 25, 2019.
Fluridone treatments are a safe and effective method to control the growth of the invasive aquatic plants Myriophyllum spicatum and Cabomba caroliniana, also referred to as Eurasian milfoil and fanwort. The application of this herbicide is a common practice to reduce invasive weed density and poses no risk to humans and animals after application is complete, though water use for irrigation is discouraged. The application is coordinated with the Tatnuck Brook Watershed Association and has been approved by the Worcester Conservation Commission.
