Agricultural Water Rule Support Line

The North Central Region Center for FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) Training, Extension, and Technical Assistance operates a toll-free number to answer your agricultural water rules questions. Feel free to speak with someone on the team and receive a researched, expert-approved answer within 72 hours.

1-855-928-7785 (1-855-WATR RUL)

The call line will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Central Time (7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Mountain Time).

What is the Agricultural Water Rule?

Interior of a specialty crop harvest and processing facility.
(Credit: Nick Volesky, SDSU Extension)

The FSMA Agricultural Water Rule is part of the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule and is designed to reduce the risk of foodborne illness associated with contaminated agricultural water used on farms. It establishes requirements for growers to evaluate the safety of water used during crop production, particularly irrigation water that may come into contact with fresh produce. In 2024, the FDA revised the rule to shift away from a primarily water-testing based approach toward a more comprehensive, risk-based agricultural water assessment. This assessment considers factors such as the water source, distribution system, irrigation methods, crop characteristics, environmental conditions, and potential contamination risk.

Under the revised rule, covered farms must conduct an agricultural water assessment at least annually and whenever significant changes or new risks arise, determine whether corrective or mitigation measures are necessary, and document their findings. These measures might include changing irrigation practices, repairing water systems, treating water, or allowing more time between irrigation and harvest. Overall, the rule aims to help growers identify and manage potential water-related contamination risks before they affect produce, while providing opportunities for Extension professionals to assist farms with education, assessments, and implementation of food safety practices.

Please contact the support line at 1-855-928-7785 for further questions.

References

Related Topics

Conservation, Product-Specific Food Safety

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