In early 1973, the University of California Committee of Consultants was requested by the State Water Resources Control Board staff to submit a set of guidelines for interpretation of water quality for agriculture. These were to set forth a method of agricultural water quality evaluation and also suggest numerical guidelines that could be used in the comprehensive water-quality management plans then being prepared to manage the water resources of each of the states 16 water basins.

The authors are both Cooperative Extension soils and water specialists.