Management Zone Implementation Plans

What are Management Zones Working on Now?

In addition to providing interim solutions, Management Zones have submitted  Management Zone Implementation Plans this September for review and approval by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. These are long-term plans that must achieve the following goals:

  1. Ensure Safe Drinking Water Supply

    Management Zones must ensure safe drinking water supply by providing emergency, interim, and long-term drinking water supplies to residents impacted by nitrate contamination. 

  2. Reduce Overall Nitrate Released into Groundwater

    Growers also must reduce nitrate discharges into groundwater. Growers must make progress in reducing nitrate discharges over time by meeting specific milestones. Additionally, changes in groundwater quality conditions must be tracked through groundwater quality monitoring. 

  3. Improve Groundwater Quality in Nitrate Contaminated Groundwater Basins

    Management Zones must also complete projects that intend to lower nitrate contamination to levels safe for consumption (below 10 mg/L). These projects must be developed and prioritized in locations where communities depend on clean groundwater for drinking purposes. 

Management Zones are Required to Engage with Communities.

Management Zones are required to collaborate with impacted communities when developing and implementing these long-term plans and ensure community feedback is considered in the plans. 

We Need Safe Drinking Water Now.

Management Zones are tasked to complete these requirements as soon as possible. However, Management Zones are allowed up to 35 years to implement these plans. We cannot allow further pollution of our drinking water sources. We need clean drinking water now. 

How to Get Involved?

There will be opportunities to speak directly to and share your concerns about these plans with Regional Water Board Members this fall and early next year. If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved please contact Kjia Rivers at kjia.rivers@communitywatercenter.org or (858) 472-8549.