Water Resources Protection

WSDA is charged with protecting Washington state's ground and surface water resources from contamination by fertilizers and pesticides.

By working with the agricultural community and regulators to provide technical assistance to pesticide applicators, WSDA assures that pesticides which pose a risk to water resources are being handled and applied according to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) label.  Pesticides determined by EPA to post a risk to water resources have special use language on FIFRA label.

WSDA also partners with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Washington State Departments of Ecology and Health to monitor water resources for pesticide residues and to assess the effects of pesticides on surface and ground water.