Watershed Coalitions

Water quality coalitions have been formed throughout the Central Valley in response to Conditional Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements passed on July 11, 2003 by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Viewed by many as the most economical way to comply with the regulations, the coalitions' goal is to represent farmers with irrigated cropland within a regional watershed so they don't need to file individual reports with the Regional Water Board.

On April 1, 2004, each coalition submitted a watershed use report describing detailed cropping patterns, pesticides and nutrient use and a compilation of management practices that can protect water quality from farm inputs. Also submitted was the water monitoring plan for the watershed drainage area. Then beginning on July 1, 2004, the coalitions began to initiate monthly water monitoring in their regions.