Agricultural Water Quality

The Agricultural Water Quality Program helps keep San Diego County’s waterways clean. We check farms and nurseries to make sure they are preventing dirt, chemicals, and other materials from leaving their property. By doing these inspections, we help prevent pollution in our local rivers, streams, and beaches.

What Our Inspections Look Like

We contact farms in unincorporated San Diego county to schedule inspections. Inspections may happen once a year, or as little as once every five years. How often we visit depends on things like where the site is, nearby sensitive areas, elevation, and if pesticides are used.

During an inspection, our staff will look at the whole growing area. We check to make sure water from irrigation, dirt, plant waste, or other things are not leaving the property. We also look at creeks, drainage, or waterways on the property to make sure they are safe from farm practices, runoff water, and erosion.

If you store chemicals like pesticides, fertilizers, gasoline, or oil on your property, we check that spill supplies (like sand, sawdust, or kitty litter) are there. If you keep old vehicles or repair them, we make sure fluids are removed or drip pans are used to catch leaks.

Lastly, we check that your staff have had yearly stormwater training. Many farms include this with their other yearly training, but we can give you training materials if you need them.

Reporting Agricultural Water Quality Concerns

While stormwater is allowed to leave agricultural sites, everything else should stay on site. Do you have concerns about water or materials leaving an agricultural property? If the concern is located in the unincorporated areas, please contact us at (858) 614-7786 or AWQ.AWM@sdcounty.ca.gov. 

Otherwise, visit Project Clean Water to report concerns anywhere in the region. You can also report any non-agricultural water concerns to the Department of Public Works. 

Agricultural Water Rates

To get lower water rates for farms, your property must meet at least one of the following:

1. You are enrolled in the Agricultural Order from the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board
2. You have a valid Pesticide Operator ID number
3. You are a Certified Producer
4. You are an Organic Producer

If you meet any of these, contact your local water agency to sign up. For more details, and to check if your water agency is included, visit the San Diego County Water Authority.

San Diego Region Irrigated Lands Group

The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Water Board) runs a program called the Ag Order, which sets requirements for commercial farms and nurseries. This program is required for all people who grow and sell their crops or plants.

The County’s Agricultural Water Quality Program does not manage sign-ups for the Ag Order. However, we work with the Water Board to help growers. We offer support through outreach, education, and joint inspections. The San Diego Region Irrigated Lands Group also helps growers meet the Water Board’s requirements. To learn more, visit the San Diego Region Irrigated Lands Group.

Best Management Practices and Resources