Pesticide Water Quality Program

Formerly called the Groundwater Program, the Pesticide Water Quality 

Program is focused on protecting groundwater and surface water from 

pesticide contamination. In its role as the lead pesticide regulatory agency in 

the state, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture works with the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and partner state and federal 

agencies to assess and mitigate the risk of pesticides to the state’s water 

resources. 

A working committee was formed in 1991 to assist the Department in 

developing an EPA approved Generic State Management Plan (GSMP) to 

protect groundwater from pesticides. This plan outlined a strategy to prevent 

degradation of groundwater by pesticides while protecting the beneficial uses 

of pesticide products. It is designed to protect groundwater quality, encourage 

pesticide user education, and provide technical assistance. 

Due to recent expansion of the Groundwater Program to include surface 

water, the groundwater working committee was expanded in 2007 and 

renamed the Water Quality Advisory Committee (WQAC). The WQAC 

includes several state and federal agencies with an interest in water 

resources, including the North Dakota Department of Health, North Dakota 

State Water Commission, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, North 

Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, North Dakota Geological Survey, 

NDSU Extension Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA- Natural 

Resources Conservation Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey. The 

Committee meets quarterly to discuss and manage pesticide water quality 

issues. 

The Department uses several strategies to protect water resources from 

pesticides. We educate the public and conduct outreach during public 

meetings, participation in pesticide certification and training programs, and 

distribution of informational materials. We work with the ND Department of 

Health to review groundwater monitoring data, and we recently coordinated a 

statewide pesticide surface water monitoring program with the ND Department 

of Health and ND Game and Fish Department. Last, we target pesticide 

regulatory activities and inspections in those areas of the state with waters that 

are vulnerable to pesticide contamination. 

Additional links on water quality protection can be found by clicking on the 

following links: 

Pesticide Monitoring Report 2009 

North Dakota Department of Agriculture Page 1 of 2

http://www.agdepartment.com/Programs/Plant/WaterQuality.html 5/14/2010
Pesticide Monitoring Report 2008 

State Generic Management Plan

Protecting Ground and Surface Water

North Dakota Groundwater Sensitivity Mapping

North Dakota Department of Health Division of Water Quality

 

For more information, contact: 

Jessica Johnson 

ND Department of Agriculture 

600 E Boulevard Dept 602 

Bismarck ND 58505-0020 

Phone: (701) 328-2980 

FAX: (701) 328-4567 

Email:jnjohnson@nd.gov

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http://www.agdepartment.com/Programs/Plant/WaterQuality.html 5/14/2010