In response to changing laws as well as increased concern over environmental pollution, there is a current need to examine the best means of disposal of wash water generated by mosquito abatement operations. A study of wash waters from 6 central California mosquito abatement districts shows that herbicide levels were low enough so as not to preclude the use of these waters for recycling back into insecticide spray diluent. In one case, oil levels were high and an oil/water separation is probably necessary to prevent gum formation and clogging of spray equipment. Recycling of wash waters appears to be a feasible solution to the disposal problem once water contaminant levels are defined.
