Water Quality:

Minimum Requirement for Water Standards:

EPA Recreational Water Standards: used as minimum requirements by the agricultural industry because there are no established national or state standards for growing raw agricultural commodities (RAC). Rinsing produce does, however, have standards to follow. It should be done with potable (equivalent to drinking water quality) water only to reduce microbial populations on the surface of fresh fruits and vegetables. Repeated rinsing or multiple washes may be needed to thoroughly clean produce.

Interpreting Water Test Data:

Water Data Interpreter: This site can help you interpret the results of a routine domestic water analysis, performed by a certified drinking water analysis laboratory. The analysis tests for characteristics that could affect health as well as use(s) of water.

Water Quality in Food Production:

2014 CPS Ag Water Research Report: The UC-Davis Center for Produce Safety (CPS) produced this comprehensive literature review to detail what is known and still unknown about water quality relative to food production.

Wash System Install or Improvement:

Wash System FAQ: The University of California, Davis Center for Produce Safety (CPS) also hosted this webinar that provided “plain-language”, science-based responses to common questions from small growers seeking to install or improve their wash systems. Trevor V. Suslow, Ph.D., UC-Davis, covered a variety of challenges that should be considered when developing a wash water program.