Residents seeing results of county water distribution program

More than 20 households whose private wells have dried up are receiving water deliveries through Merced County’s Emergency Water Distribution Program, officials reported.

The county relief program, funded through the California Disaster Assistance Act and the Governor’s Office of Environmental Services, was developed to help those who are waiting either to have their wells fixed or to gain access to another water supply, such as through a municipal system. The county began accepting applications Aug. 1.

Applicants must prove their wells have failed and that they have applied for permits to dig new wells before their bids for help are considered by an oversight committee.

As of Sept. 11, when the most recent numbers were reported, nearly 30 applications were approved, county officials said. Nearly 80 others have met initial qualifications for the program. Another 51 applicants are waiting to verify that their wells have dried up or that they are in line for new well permits.

How many Merced County homes have seen their private wells fail during the state’s ongoing drought is unclear. In January, more than 2,000 wells in the state were reported dry, most in the San Joaquin Valley. Since then, the number is certain to have increased. Most residents and farmers outside city limits depend on private wells.

Requests for well permits spiked earlier this year before the Merced County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance to control the amount of water being pumped from the ground by imposing new restrictions on the drilling of new wells and the transportation of local water out of the county. Some property owners learned they’ll have to wait up to 18 months for a drilling crew because of the demand for new wells.

County residents without well water are eligible to receive deliveries of water to their houses: one gallon of drinking water per person per day and up to 50 gallons per person per day for bathing, cleaning and other nonpotable use.

The county still is accepting applications. The program will be available as long as the state and counties continue the drought-related state of emergency.

Many county departments are working together to manage the program, including the Fire Department, Environmental Health, Planning, building and the Human Services Agency.

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 6:51 PM with the headline "Residents seeing results of county water distribution program."