Drinking Water Well Principles

Nearly 85% of Californians rely on groundwater for some portion of their drinking water supply.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the April 21, 2021 State of Emergency Proclamation after two dry years to prioritize the protection of public health, safety and the environment, and to prepare for and mitigate the effects of drought conditions. Executive Order Action 11 specifically identifies:
“To ensure the potential impacts of drought on communities are anticipated and proactively addressed, the Department of Water Resources, in coordination with the Water Board, shall develop groundwater management principles and strategies to monitor, analyze, and minimize impacts to drinking water wells.”
The Department of Water Resources, in coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board, had released the Final Groundwater Management and Drinking Water Well Principles and Strategies including an Implementation Matrix.
- Final Groundwater Management and Drinking Water Well Principles and Strategies including the Final Implementation Matrix (English)
- Principios y estrategias finales de gestión de aguas subterráneas y pozos de agua potable (Spanish)
- Informational Flyer (English)
- Folleto informativo (Spanish)
- Written interview on groundwater and drought efforts, by the San Joaquin Valley Partnership
June 29 & 30
Listening Sessions
Three identical public listening sessions were hosted to gather early input on the development of drinking water well principles and strategies to address community needs, as part of the April 21 Drought Executive Proclamation Item 11.
- Listening Session Recording
- Listening Session Presentation
- Listening Session flyer (English) and (Spanish)
July 22
Draft Concept Workshop
A Draft Concepts Public Workshop was hosted to present the early input received on the development of drinking water well principles and strategies and to received additional public comments, as part of the April 21 Drought Executive Proclamation Item 11.
September
Draft Principles and Strategies Released
The State released the Draft principles and strategies on September 8 and held a 30 day public comment period through October 7, 2021.
September
30-day Public Comment Period and Webinar
The State hosted a 30 day public comment period and public webinar to review the draft principles and strategies and accept formal public comments. The public webinar was held with live Spanish translation.
December
Release Final Principles and Strategies
The State released final principles and strategies in December 2021. The current materials can be found under the Current Activities Tab.
Fall 2021 & 2022
Follow-on Guidance and Funding
As identified the State will develop and provide follow-on guidance from different programs, as well as complementary funding to support the development of solutions related to drinking water well impacts.
- Report to the Legislature on the 2012-2016 Drought
- Drought Brochure 2021
- Water Facts: Ground Water in Fractured Hard Rock
- Recommendations for Drought and Water Shortage Contingency Plans
- Drought and Water Shortage Vulnerability Assessment and Risk Scoring
- Drought and Water Shortage Risk Explorer Tool for Small Water Suppliers and Rural Communities
- DWR's Drought Webpage
- Sustainable Groundwater Management Webpage
- Report a Household Water Shortage (Dry Private Well)
- For urgent drinking water need projects (State Water Board funding)
- Find your Well Permitting Agencies Contacts
- Find your Local County Emergency Services Contacts
- Find your Groundwater Sustainability Agency
- Find your Drinking Water Supplier? (State Water Board Public Water System Data)
- Well Completion Reports
Contact us
To contact our office with questions or public comments, please email us at: sgmps@water.ca.gov