Western Farm Press continued that the “hearing followed the release of a UC Davis report, “Addressing Nitrate in California’s Drinking Water,” which analyzed the levels of nitrates in drinking water in the Tulare Lake Basin and Salinas Valley and identified potential solutions.”

The report, which can be read by clicking here, found that “more than 95 percent of the nitrates in groundwater came from agricultural sources, and that some 250,000 people living on those two basins had, or were likely to have, high nitrate levels in their drinking water.”

While some groups supported fees and taxes on all fertilizer use as the easiest way to provide funding for clean water, as well as mandatory outside recommendations for fertilizer applications, agricultural representatives expressed concern. They believe it is a large possibility for ag groups to shoulder all of the costs and be subject to strict oversight of their nitrogen use.

For the full Western Farm Press article, click here.

This article posted July 8, 2012.