Irrigated Lands Program (ILP)
Welcome to the Irrigated Lands Program (ILP)
The Central Coast Water Board regulates discharges from irrigated agricultural lands to protect surface water and groundwater using Order No. R3-2021-0040, General Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges from Irrigated Lands (also known as the Agricultural Order), that applies to owners and operators of irrigated land used for commercial crop production. The Central Coast Water Board is focusing on priority water quality issues, such as pesticides and toxicity, nutrients, and sediments – especially nitrate impacts to drinking water sources. Staff is prioritizing efforts in the major agricultural areas of the region - the Salinas River, Santa Maria, and Pajaro River watersheds.
I am looking for...
- Items for Discretionary Review
- Public and Legal Information
- Requirements Checklist Tool
- Surface Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting
- Technical Assistance Providers and Consultants
- Third-Party Programs
- Total Nitrogen Applied Report / Irrigation and Nutrient Management Summary Report
- Tutorials & Instructions - Important
Announcements
Proposed Amended Ag Order
New! On August 26, 2026, Central Coast Water Board staff will hold a workshop with certain members of the Agricultural and Environmental Justice communities to discuss the Drinking Water Solutions program in the Proposed Order R3-2021-0040-A1, as amended by State Water Board Order WQ 2023-0081 (Proposed Order R3-2021-0040-A1). More information can be found at the Central Coast Water Board's Public Notices webpage.
On June 18, 2026, the Central Coast Water Board hosted a public workshop to receive input and comments regarding proposed Order R3-2021-0040-A1, which amends Order R3-2021-0040 (Ag Order 4.0). Information on the proposed Order can be found at the Central Coast Water Board's Tentative Orders website.
Compliance Dates
- March 1, 2026: Total Nitrogen Applied (TNA) reporting due. Irrigation and Nutrient Management Plan (INMP) reporting due Total Nitrogen Applied (TNA) Report / Irrigation and Nutrient Management Plan (INMP) Summary Report
- March 1 – May 31, 2026: Groundwater Well sampling required for primary irrigation wells, dual use wells, and domestic wells Groundwater Quality Monitoring and Reporting
- March 1, 2026: Annual Compliance Form (ACF) submission due Irrigated Lands Program Annual Compliance Form (ACF)
- Review Irrigated Lands Program Requirements Checklists for more information ILP Requirements
Fechas de Vencimiento de Requisitos
- 1ro de Marzo, 2026: Fecha de vencimiento del reporte del Total del Nitrógeno Aplicado (TNA) y Fecha de vencimiento del reporte del Plan de Manejo de Riego y Nutrientes (INMP) Total Nitrogen Applied (TNA) Report / Irrigation and Nutrient Management Plan (INMP) Summary Report
- 1ro de Marzo – 31 de Mayo, 2026: Período obligatorio del muestreo de pozos de riego, de uso dual (o sea de riego y uso doméstico) y de los pozos de uso doméstico Groundwater Quality Monitoring and Reporting
- 1ro de Marzo, 2026: Fecha de vencimiento para el envío del Formulario Anual de Cumplimientos (ACF) Irrigated Lands Program Annual Compliance Form (ACF)
- Para más información revise el listado de los requisitos del Programa de Tierras Irrigadas ILP Requirements
合规日期
- 2026年3月1日：总施氮量（TNA）报告截止期限. 灌溉和养分管理计划（INMP）报告截止期限 Total Nitrogen Applied (TNA) Report / Irrigation and Nutrient Management Plan (INMP) Summary Report
- 2026年3月1日至5月31日：需要对主要灌溉井、两用井和家用水井进行地下水井采样 Groundwater Quality Monitoring and Reporting
- 2026年3月1日：年度合规表（ACF）提交截止日期 Irrigated Lands Program Annual Compliance Form (ACF)
- 查看灌溉土地计划（ILP）要求清单，了解更多信息 ILP Requirements
Stay Informed
Email Subscription List
To receive updates on the Irrigated Lands Program, subscribe to the Irrigated Lands Program email list.
Contact Us
- General Inquiries
Phone: (805) 549-3148
AgNOI@waterboards.ca.gov - Si tiene preguntas, comuníquese con el personal del programa de tierras irrigadas en AgNOI@waterboards.ca.gov o (805) 549-3148.
- 如果您有任何疑問，請通過 AgNOI@waterboards.ca.gov 或 (805) 549-3148 聯繫灌溉土地計劃工作人員。
- Ranch-Specific Inquiries
Determine the Case Management Contact for water quality related complaints, to submit an individual Work Plan, or for any other ranch-specific inquiries.
Facts and Information
Irrigated Lands Program FAQs:
The central coast region represents about:
- 7.2 million acres of land
- 540,000 acres irrigated land
- 3,000 agricultural operations
- 17,000 miles of surface waters (linear streams/rivers)
- 4,000 square miles of groundwater basins
- 86% of water supply derived from groundwater (most dependent out of all nine hydrologic regions in the state)
Related Links
- Central Coast Ambient Monitoring
- Surface Water Ambient Monitoring
- 303(d) List of Impaired Water Bodies
- Total Maximum Daily Loads
- Grants and Contracts – Central Coast Water Board
- GeoTracker GAMA
- Central Coast Drinking Water Well Testing
- State Water Board, Irrigated Lands
- California Department of Food and Agriculture
- California Department of Pesticide Regulation
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife
- California Department of Conservation
