Addressing Nitrate in California’s Drinking Water with a Focus on Tulare Lake Basin and Salinas Valley Groundwater

In 2008, Senate Bill SBX2 1 (Perata) was signed into law (Water Code Section 83002.5), requiring the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), in consultation with other agencies, to prepare a Report to the Legislature to “improve understanding of the causes of [nitrate] groundwater contamination, identify potential remediation solutions and funding sources to recover costs expended by the State to clean up or treat groundwater, and ensure the provision of safe drinking water to all communities.”

The University of California prepared this Report under contract with the State Water Board as it prepares its Report to the Legislature.  This executive summary focuses on major findings and promising actions. Details can be found in the Main Report and eight accompanying Technical Reports.

Technical Report 1: Project and Technical Report Outline (Version July 2012)

Technical Report 2: Nitrogen Sources and Loading to Groundwater (Version July 2012)

Appendix, Technical Report 2: Appendix Figures to Technical Report 2 (Version July 2012) – 84 MB (large file)

Technical Report 3: Nitrogen Source Reduction to Protect Groundwater Quality (Version July 2012)

Technical Report 4: Groundwater Nitrate Occurrence (Version July 2012)

Technical Report 5: Groundwater Remediation and Management for Nitrate (Version July 2012)

Technical Report 6: Drinking Water Treatment for Nitrate (Version July 2012)

Technical Report 7: Alternative Water Supply Options for Nitrate Contamination (Version July 2012)

Technical Report 8: Regulatory and Funding Options for Nitrate Groundwater Contamination

U.C. Davis Groundwater Nitrate Project links and updates