Sampling and submission are required
Nitrate (NO3) in soil can often be found in rural and agricultural areas due to fertilizer, livestock waste, and septic systems. Nitrate can be highly mobile in soil and can readily leach to groundwater. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, when present in groundwater, nitrate can cause serious health effects if consumed.
The California Rice Commission’s Waste Discharge Requirement (WDR) requires, beginning in 2022, each Grower (or landowner) to conduct annual testing for nitrates only in drinking water supply wells present on parcels where rice is produced. The results are reported directly from the analytical laboratory to the State’s GeoTracker database (only APN and well sample data available to the public).
- If the nitrate concentration is below 8 mg/L nitrate+nitrite as N in three consecutive annual samples, the Grower (or landowner) may conduct sampling once every five years going forward.
- If the nitrate concentration is between 8 mg/L and 10 mg/L nitrate+nitrite as N, the Grower (or landowner) must continue annual sampling.
- If the nitrate concentration exceeds 10 mg/L of nitrate+nitrite as N, the Grower (or landowner) must provide notice to the users within 10 days of learning of the exceedance and send a copy of the notice to the Central Valley Water Board. If your sample result was greater than 10 mg/L and you have notified all drinking water well users and the Central Valley Water Board, you can stop further sampling.
The laboratory submittal template, notification template, sample collection methods, frequently asked questions, and more information are located at CalRiceNews.org under the Drinking Water Well button. Please only use a laboratory with a California ELAP certification. Some labs may be able to provide a sample collection service for a fee. Keep a copy of your results for your records.
Your participation in this program helps ensure compliance with WDR requirements and safeguards drinking water resources.
For more information, contact the CRC’s Industry Affairs Manager Craig Riddle at criddle@
