The coastal watersheds of San Diego County are ideal for the production of a wide range of crops, including indoor and outdoor decorative plants, avocados, cut flowers, oranges, tomatoes, strawberries, herbs, and many other fruits and vegetables, as well as limited animal agriculture.  Just like homeowners and most industries, agriculture can be a contributor to nonpoint source pollution and non-storm water runoff into storm drain systems. 

In recent years, agriculture has been under increasing scrutiny for its contributions to nonpoint source pollution and runoff into local streams, lagoons, and beaches.  Runoff from agricultural properties may contain contaminant levels that exceed water quality standards.  In San Diego County, the recently adopted storm water permit has created new requirements for runoff entering the storm drain system.  These new requirements affect many different types of businesses, including agriculture.

In order to help local growers navigate the complexities of reducing nonpoint source pollution, San Diego County Cooperative Extension applied for and received State funding for the Ag Water Quality Program.  Please contact the following staff for assistance:

Valerie J. Mellano, Ph.D.
Environmental Issues Advisor
(858) 571-4204
vjmellano@ucdavis.edu

Funding for this program has been provided in full or in part through a contract with the State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) pursuant to the Costa-Machado Act of 2000 (Proposition 13) and any amendments thereto for the implementation of California's Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program.  The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the SWRCB, nor does mention of trade names or commerical products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.