A coalition of farmers aiming to keep pesticides and other pollutants out of streams has been contacting members who might have let them escape from their land.

The result has been improved control over the releases, said a report this week from the East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition.

It contends that the farmer-funded effort, launched in 2003, shows that the state does not need to increase its regulation.

"For the first time in our existence, we have a good story to tell you about what's happening in our waterways," coalition chairman Parry Klassen said.

He spoke at the coalition's annual meeting, which drew about 140 people Monday to the Stanislaus County Agricultural Center.

The group released its latest annual report on testing of key waterways in Stanislaus and a few other counties.

The report showed progress on three waterways that have been especially prone to pollution, Klassen said. They are Dry Creek east of Modesto, the Prairie Flower Drain near Crows Landing and Duck Slough south of Merced.

Because of past problems, farmers near these waterways have been contacted by Klassen and vice chairman Wayne Zipser, who also manages the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau.

They advised the farmers on improved pesticide practices, such as checking the wind before spraying or recirculating tainted irrigation water that otherwise would run off into streams.

The coalition is one of several that formed for irrigated farmland under a process overseen by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. The goal is to keep pollutants that can sicken people and fish from getting into rivers, canals and other waterways.

Joe Karkoski, acting assistant executive officer for the board, said he could not comment on the coalition's 2009 results because he has not received them.