Dairy organization participated in the July 8 State Water Board workshop to provide practical feedback on the draft order
From Western United Daires
Western United Dairies (WUD) today responded to the State Water Resources Control Board’s (State Water Board) release of a revised draft order regarding waste discharge requirements for dairies in the Central Valley. The order is currently scheduled for consideration for adoption by the State Water Board on September 15.
Throughout this process, WUD has been actively engaged with the Central Valley Water Board and State Water Board, participating in meetings, reviewing proposed language, and providing comments grounded in the firsthand experience of dairy farmers across the region. Underscoring their meaningful involvement in this process, WUD most recently participated in a July 8th State Water Board Workshop around the draft order.
At the workshop, Paul Sousa, WUD’s Director of Environmental Services and Regulatory Affairs, was part of an industry panel that highlighted the dairy community’s ongoing work to protect drinking water and improve nutrient management. The panel also voiced concerns about the unachievable aspects of the revised draft order, including the proposed approach to new and existing dairies.
Member Justin Gioletti, from Gioletti Dairy, was also on the panel helping to make the connection that dairy farmers are real people and focused on the eƯorts he has made on his dairy. Dairy farmers, along with other facilities with water quality permits, are already helping provide safe replacement drinking water for households with nitrate-impacted wells. Dairy families have also continued investing in solutions to reduce excess nitrogen, including technologies such as vermifiltration and broader eƯorts through the Central Valley Dairy Representative Monitoring Program.
WUD emphasized that the final order should focus early eƯorts on the most effective areas for reducing nitrogen loading. As recognized in the order, cropland is the largest contributor of nitrogen loading from dairies, making whole-farm nitrogen balance one of the most important tools for improving performance and protecting water quality.
WUD also raised concerns about the draft order’s approach to dairy lagoons, including aggressive timelines for some lagoon requirements that could create significant financial and operational challenges for dairy families. While WUD recognizes the importance of addressing lagoon issues where needed, the organization urged the State Water Board to rely on clear evidence, site-specific conditions, and reasonable implementation timelines that do not place unnecessary burdens on dairies already working to improve water quality.
“We appreciate the work of the State Water Board in developing this revised draft order and recognizing the need for practical, science-based solutions,” said Anja Raudabaugh, CEO of Western United Dairies. “California dairy families are already investing in new and innovative practices to improve nutrient management and protect water quality. As this process moves forward, WUD will continue working to ensure the final order is feasible, focused, and builds on the progress already happening on farms across the Central Valley.”
The panel urged the State Water Board to recognize the good-faith work already underway through CV-SALTS and adopt a final order that protects water quality while remaining workable for Central Valley dairy farmers.
About Western United Dairies: Western United Dairies is a trade organization representing local dairy farmers across the state. Its mission is centered around promoting sound legislative and administrative policies and programs for both the industry and consumers, focusing on the general welfare and longevity of dairy producers. Learn more at westernuniteddaries.com.
