New analytical tools to assess the occurrence of ultra-polar pesticides and their transformation products in drinking water

The PESPOT project aims to carry out a broad mapping of pesticide residues present in drinking water, with a particular focus on persistent and polar organic molecules, using non-targeted analytical approaches based on high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). High method sensitivity and long-term contaminant integration were achieved through the optimisation and deployment of passive samplers combining complementary phases in terms of physicochemical properties to characterise a wide contamination profile. The identified molecules were then analysed across continuums (resource/treatment/distribution), enabling the connection between the water source and distributed water. This initiative aims to provide new data on water contamination to distributors, local authorities and public decision-makers, thereby contributing to discussions on the regulatory monitoring of phytopharmaceuticals in drinking water.