Drought and Groundwater

Please refer to the following sources for reliable information on the drought, well health and well monitoring.

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Dry Well Planning and Reporting

In response to historic drought conditions in California and to help Californians Be Well Prepared, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) developed tools that provide important information and resources for counties, local water agencies, groundwater sustainability agencies, and well owners to use for drought-related decision-making.

Dry Well Susceptibility

Some areas of California are more vulnerable to problems with dry wells in the future due to droughts and the effects of climate change. Go to the Dry Well Susceptibility Tool to view the forecasting tool so you can plan.

Dry Well Reporting

If your well has dried up, please report it to the California Department of Water Resources. The information identifies trends and potential problem areas.

Financial Assistance for Homeowners

Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) offers low-interest rate loans to assist individual households in the refurbishing, replacement, or construction of a household water well system. Information can be found here.

Financial Assistance for Small Water Systems

Small water districts can apply for drought-relief funding from California Department of Water Resources. Guidelines can be found here.

To report water waste

Concerned about water waste? Go to SaveWater.ca.gov to report excessive water use.

Drought Updates and Water Conservation

California Drought Monitor

Information on current drought conditions statewide

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Sonoma Water Drought Information

Daily updated information on local water supply conditions, including links to articles

Sonoma Marin Saving Water Partnership

Water-saving tips and information about local water use efficiency programs, including water-efficient landscaping and demonstrating gardens

Sonoma Resources Conservation District and Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District

Both entities provide information, assistance and resources to rural residents, including the Slow It, Spread It, Sink It, Store It guide.

Well Owner Information

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A Guide for Private Domestic Well Owners:

This informative online document by the State Water Resources Control Board includes links to certified drinking water testing laboratories and information about common well and water quality problems.

The Private Well Class

The free course is a 10-week series of emails that provide easily understandable and important information about groundwater wells. The project is a collaboration between the Rural Community Assistance Partnership and the University of Illinois, through the Illinois State Water Survey at the Prairie Research Institute, and funded by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Wellowner.org

A joint project of the National Groundwater Resources Association, Rural Community Assistance Partnership and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this site provides practical information about well maintenance, issues of concern and well construction.

Well Monitoring and Databases

California Natural Resources Agency Open Data

This site provides links to a variety of datasets, including groundwater level monitoring.

Local Well Monitoring

If you are interested in adding your well to a local voluntary monitoring network, contact the program in your area, below. Well monitoring occurs semi-annually, during the fall and spring. The information contributes to local knowledge of groundwater levels and helps identify trends over time.