Southern California Dealing with Pesticides, Fertilizers and other Pollutants from area Farms

The laboratories at LA Testing and EMSL Analytical provide water testing solutions to municipalities, farmers and environmental professionals throughout California.

Los Alamitos, CA

Regional water monitors in California recently announced that farmers in parts of the state will soon be required to finance all, or part, of the cost to monitor agricultural pollutants in area surface water. The California Regional Water Quality Control Board adopted the new rules in 2007 and they will go into effect in the next few years.

Runoff from farms and cropland can cause fertilizers, animal waste, pesticides and other toxins to pollute area water. According to the EPA, “Agricultural nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is the leading source of water quality impacts to rivers and lakes.” Pollutants to be monitored will likely include nitrates, bacteria, phosphates and other contaminants.

The program requires farmers with more than $1,000 in gross crop sales to pay to sample the water quality in area lakes and streams. The San Diego region, which is also comprised of parts of Riverside and Orange counties, is included in this new regulation. According to some reports as many as 100 bodies of water in that region have suffered for various reasons, including agricultural pollutants.

San Diego County is composed of more small farmers than anywhere else in the state. The additional cost to them for this program could be a hardship on some small farmers following rising water costs and current low commodity prices. LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, leading environmental testing laboratories in the area, have been on the forefront of providing affordable water testing solutions for all types of pollutants.

“Both laboratories have a long history of providing these types of testing services in California to help protect people and the environment,” reported Ben Sublasky, National Director of Client Services for LA Testing and EMSL Analytical. “Our water testing laboratories are an important resource for government agencies, farmers, industry and the general public,” Sublasky continued.

To learn more about water testing and other environmental services please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.

About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LA Testing and EMSL Analytical are providers of environmental testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The companies have an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

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Joe Frasca

Senior Vice President, Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

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