ISHS Acta Horticulturae 627: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Toward Ecologically Sound Fertilization Strategies for Field Vegetable Production
RUNOFF WATER QUALITY IN CALIFORNIA - LAWS, REGULATIONS, AND THEIR IMPLEMENTATION |
| Author: | D.J. Merhaut |
| Keywords: | nitrate, phosphate, Clean Water Act, surface water, EPA, electrical conductivity, Best Managements Practices (BMPs), recycling |
| Abstract:
Regulations regarding quality of water discharged to land surfaces or water bodies have been in place in California since 1969, when the state enacted the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. It was not until 1972 that the federally regulated Clean Water Act was issued. Although these state and federal programs began almost 30 years ago, they have only been enforced in the United States in the past few years. Implementation of wastewater regulations in California is controlled by nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs). Each region develops and executes its own wastewater quality management plan. Under the Porter-Cologne Act, the RWQCB may issue Waste Discharge Requirement (WDR) permits to those releasing wastewater, regardless of whether they are considered point or non-point source polluters. The water quality regulations stemming from the Porter-Cologne Act often meet or exceed the standards (guidelines) set by the Federal Clean Water Act of 1977. However, although all nine RWQCBs follow the same federal and state guidelines, the regulations developed and their implementation differ greatly from region to region because of the different types of industries and varying climatic conditions throughout the state. | |
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