Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP)

Overview

A range of pollutants can be found in runoff from irrigated lands, such as pesticides, fertilizers, salts, pathogens, and sediment. At high enough concentrations, these pollutants can harm aquatic life or make water unusable for drinking water or agricultural uses.  The Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP) was initiated in 2003 to prevent agricultural runoff from impairing surface waters, and in 2012, groundwater regulations were added to the program.  Waste discharge requirements (also known as "WDRs" or "Orders"), which protect both surface water and groundwater, address irrigated agricultural discharges throughout the Central Valley.