At an open meeting of the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Review Board in Watsonville, environmental groups argued that nitrates used in fertilizers and pesticides are threatening the region’s water supplies. Their claim was challenged by local growers, who responded that they have taken steps to reduce the amount of nitrates used, including the expanded use of drip irrigation. Drip irrigation technologies enable them to get water and nutrients directly to the roots of their plants, thereby cutting down the use of both considerably. They further argued that the nitrates that they are being asked to clean up are “legacy nitrates” from previous generations of farmers in the region.
At an open meeting of the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Review Board in Watsonville, environmental groups argued that nitrates used in fertilizers and pesticides are threatening the region’s water supplies. Their claim was challenged by local growers, who responded that they have taken steps to reduce the amount of nitrates used, including the expanded use of drip irrigation. Drip irrigation technologies enable them to get water and nutrients directly to the roots of their plants, thereby cutting down the use of both considerably. They further argued that the nitrates that they are being asked to clean up are “legacy nitrates” from previous generations of farmers in the region.
The debate came about as a result of the Water Quality Review Board’s intention to change replace voluntary programs to prevent water contamination with mandatory rules about agricultural runoff. They also plan to mandate the compulsory monitoring of individual farms to ensure compliance. They were slated to decide on new regulations this week. After hearing the heated arguments between the two parties, the Board decided to postpone its decision until February, stating that it expected growers and environmentalists to work out their differences by then. Read more at the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
