Agricultural operations can pose pollution risks to the environment and human health.  Oil, gas, or diesel used in farm equipment can spill or leak during storage or transportation.  Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers used on crops and agricultural lands can affect workers, leave residues on products or make their way into various waterways.  Animal waste from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and confined animal facilities (CAFs) can be carried away by storm waters and contaminate groundwater and drinking water sources. Excess feed in concentrated aquatic animal production (CAAP) facilities can result in effluent streams high in nitrogen or phosphorus.  Due to various risks associated with agriculture, operations are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), state, and local governing agencies to protect human health and prevent environmental pollution.  Regulatory testing for agricultural operations can include diesel, oil, gas, VOCs, pesticides, herbicides, nitrate, nitrite, phosphorous, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total organic carbon (TOC), coliforms, and heavy metals.

Under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, certain agricultural operations are required to meet specific criteria for discharging into US waters.  Testing may be required for discharge permit application, incidental discharges, and ongoing discharge monitoring as required by their individual permit.  Monitoring programs are implemented to reduce risk and meet periodic testing requirements.