Learning About Agriculture Through Farm Water Run-off Testing

Agricultural land of any size, any irrigated land that produces fruits, vegetables or other commercially sold crops, trees or shrubs is subject to run-off testing.

"Water will be tested for the presence of 11 pesticides, nutrients and other conditions, such as pH levels, toxicity, ammonia, chloride, e-coli, nitrates, phosphates and sulfates.

The runoff testing will be conducted quarterly -- twice during the rainy season and twice during drier weather -- and reported once a year, beginning in early 2008. Based on the initial data, benchmarks will be set for various pesticides and nutrients. And where the ingredients exceed certain limits, landowners will be required to devise plans to reduce those levels."

In the Los Angeles region, farmers may set up individual testing systems or join groups to split the cost. One Ventura County group will initially charge farmers $8 an acre to join, or about $400 for a 50-acre farm annually. Steve Bachman, groundwater resources manager, explains: "The thing that surprised everyone is that most of the current pesticides being used just weren't showing up [in the run-off]. They biodegrade very fast, so we get just a few minor hits here and there. We're getting really low amounts."