The Tule Basin Water Quality Coalition (TBWQC) was formed to help growers comply with the waste discharge requirements (WDRs) from irrigated lands, also known as the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP), that could affect the quality of ground and/or surface waters of the state in the most economical and efficient manner possible.

The purpose of the TBWQC is to allow growers to enroll in a third-party group fulfill the requirements and conditions of the Waste Discharge Requirements set by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board for General Order No. R5-2013-0120, modified by R5-2013-0143 and later revised by R5-2013-0120-07.  Alternatively, growers are given the option to obtain an individual WDRs under Order R5-2013-0100, separate from joining a third-party group.

The TBWQC was created as a special project of the Deer Creek and Tule River Authority (DCTRA). The DCTRA has been the member agency that participated in the South San Joaquin Valley Water Quality Coalition as the representative of the Tule River sub-watershed and is familiar with the Waiver requirements for the surface water monitoring program previously implemented. The DCTRA provides leadership and the Board for the TBWQC but provides no financial assistance; all expenses of the TBWQC are paid for the TBWQC members.

The boundary of the TBWQC covers the southern portion of Tulare County and a small portion of the Delano Earlimart Irrigation District that is within Kern County.

The TBWQC filed a Notice of Applicability to be the Third Party and was approved by the Regional Water Quality Control Board on February 4, 2014.