Pyrethroid Control Program
On June 8, 2017, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board adopted Resolution R5-2017-0057, establishing the Pyrethroid Control Program for the Control of Pyrethroid Pesticide Discharges. The Board also approved the supporting Substitute Environmental Documentation and Staff Report.
Program Overview
The Control Program was developed to protect aquatic life in surface waters within the Sacramento and San Joaquin River watersheds. It:
- Established numeric trigger levels for pyrethroid pesticides
- Implemented a conditional prohibition on the discharge of pyrethroids
- Protected aquatic life beneficial uses, including warm freshwater (WARM) and cold freshwater (COLD) habitats
- Established Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for nine urban waterbodies listed as impaired by pyrethroids under Clean Water Act Section 303(d)
Approval Timeline
- July 10, 2018 — Approved by the California State Water Resources Control Board
- February 19, 2019 — Approved by the California Office of Administrative Law; the conditional prohibition (excluding TMDLs) became effective
- April 22, 2019 — Approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA); the TMDLs became effective
With all required approvals completed, the Pyrethroid Control Program is fully approved and in effect.
Central Valley Water Board — Pyrethroid Control Program →
Public outreach
To meet the requirements of the Pyrethroid Control Program, agencies implement education and outreach activities that encourage management practices to minimize pesticide use and runoff. The pages below explain what pyrethroid pesticides are, what residents and businesses can do, and where to learn more.