Water Quality Management in California

ABSTRACT

California is a land of contrasts. Within its boundaries are the highest and lowest elevations in the continental United States. The climate varies from subtropical to alpine and regional rainfall ranges from less than 50mm to more than 2,500mm annually. Water is a scarce and precious resources in California.

The basic approach used in Californias water quality control program is first to identify beneficial uses of the waters and then to develop water quality standards that are sufficient to protect the waters for those uses. The water quality control plan (basic plan) provides the technical basis for determining waste discharge requirements, taking enforcement actions, and evaluating clean water grant proposals. The paper discusses the background and philosophy of water pollution control practices in California with a specific example in the Sacramento River Basin.