Higher nitrate levels in groundwater reservoirs are partly due to farming practices from decades ago, yet reflect poorly on today’s growers.
Responsibility of Present Farmers
Nitrates in groundwater is what’s fueling the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program and what concerns government agencies. Unfortunately those levels are due to old farming habits. San Joaquin County Resource Conservation Coalition Program Manager Mike Wackman says times have changed, but today’s farmers are still responsible.