Groundwater Sustainability and Protection Unit

The Groundwater Protection Unit is responsible for the Commercial Agriculture, Nonpoint Source, and Waste Discharge Requirement (WDR) Programs within the San Diego Region.

The Commercial Agriculture Program regulates agricultural and nursery operations that discharge waste to surface waters and to land that may pose a threat to both groundwater and surface waters . The Commercial Agriculture Program regulates any agricultural business or trade activity, including farms, nurseries, and orchards, that produce crops or ornamental plants with the intent to make a profit.

Nonpoint Source (NPS) pollution does not originate from regulated point sources and comes from many diffuse sources. NPS pollution occurs when rainfall flows off the land, roads, buildings, and other features of the landscape. This diffuse runoff carries pollutants into drainage ditches, lakes, rivers, wetlands, bays, and aquifers. The NPS Program aims to minimize NPS pollution from land use activities in agriculture, urban development, forestry, recreational boating and marinas, hydromodification and wetlands.

The WDR Program is one of the oldest state water quality programs and regulates discharges of wastes to land that may pose a threat to both groundwater and surface waters through performance-based permits. The WDR Program frequently regulates wastewater (sewage) treatment facilities and onsite wastewater treatment systems (septic systems), but also regulates wineries, dairies and other animal feeding operations, the use of recycled water (Title 22 of CCR), and low threat waste discharges.

Staff Contacts