For Immediate Release: 8/19/2019 2:37 pm
The City of Worcester Department of Public Works & Parks has contracted for the application of the herbicides fluridone and imazamox (trade names Sonar and Clearcast) to Coes Reservoir on Wednesday, August 21, 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, the use of water from Coes Reservoir for irrigation should be discontinued for the next 90 days. Beaches will be posted prior to the application. The water will be safe for all uses apart from irrigation on Thursday, August 22, 2019.
Herbicide treatments are a safe and effective method to control the growth of the invasive aquatic plants Myriophyllum spicatum, Cabomba caroliniana, and Trapa natans, also referred to as Eurasian milfoil, fanwort, and water chestnut. The application of these herbicides 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.
For questions, please call the
DPW&P Customer Service Center at 508-929-1300
