Canals have been leaking water for years without problems, so why is DEQ requiring a monitoring program?
DEQ does not require a monitoring program for leaking water delivery structures. DEQ recognizes that recharge occurs through the canal delivery systems. However, that incidental recharge occurs with small amounts of water leaking from a narrow canal which can extend for miles. Incidental losses from canals can be substantial but the leakage occurs over a large linear area and potential contaminants are diluted by this dispersed recharge activity, rarely creating water quality problems.
