The California Rice Commission (CRC) supports and represents the 2,500 rice growers throughout California. CRC is under regulation by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board to monitor and report rice-specific water quality standards for water bodies that receive discharge from rice grower fields and assess the impact of farming practices to groundwater quality throughout Sacramento Valley.

Monitoring Surface Water and Groundwater for CRC 

The water quality programs ensure that farming practices do not degrade surface and groundwater conditions and remain below regulatory thresholds. Kleinfelder has partnered with the CRC since 1995 to provide professional services for the surface water and groundwater monitoring programs required by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. To assess discharge, Kleinfelder provides weekly water quality assessments at five key locations within the Valley. To monitor groundwater, Kleinfelder annually assesses 20 specific wells owned and operated by the United States Geological Survey. Once every five years, CRC is required to conduct additional water quality assessments. Kleinfelder is able to assemble a skilled team that provides weekly testing at nine sites and coordinates with labs across California.

Coordination with Labs for Testing and Analysis 

Kleinfelder has teamed with state accredited analytical laboratories to ensure the highest quality testing and analysis to determine if regulatory requirements are being met. The data that Kleinfelder collects is used to protect the natural environment and provide regulators with valuable information on rice farming practices and effects.

Project Results 

Kleinfelder’s knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards has supported CRC in meeting regulatory deadlines, thresholds, and initiatives. As new products and technologies have evolved in rice farming, Kleinfelder has responded by coordinating new analytical methods while maintaining sampling efficiency and keeping costs to a minimum.

Project Details

Location:
Sacramento Valley, California

Owner:
California Rice Commission