How do I get started?
Consult a professional well-drilling firm with a California C-57 contractor's license. Pump tests will need to be performed to verify the existence of a suitable and sustained water supply. The contractor hired to drill the well can perform these tests. Consult with your county well permitting agency for specific water well testing requirements for any type of well.
Protecting your well:
The responsibility for ensuring a safe supply of private well water rests solely with the owner. Extra care should be taken to protect the quality of your groundwater supply. Here are some items to consider:
- Use licensed contractors for all pump and well work.
- Test your water for bacteria at least once a year.
- Keep hazardous chemicals away from your well.
- Check your well cover to make sure the well is sealed.
- Keep good records of any well work and testing results.
- Be alert to changes in your water or well site.
- Eliminate access fro livestock.
Contact the county health department for information on testing the water quality in your well and further information.
Easy ways to save water:
Water is a limited resource and it is essential to each of us every day. Water conservation is important. Hard rock groundwater levels may fluctuate throughout the year and decline dramatically in summer months. Monitoring the water level in your well provides the information you need to develop a water supply trend to help budget your water use.
To increase water use efficiency, homeowners can:
- Detect and repair water leaks. (A small drip can waste 70 gallons of water a day.)
- Use water efficient plumbing and appliances. ( A high-efficient clothes washer can save 20 gallons per load, ultra low flow toilets use about 1.6 gallons per flush.)
- Consider dual plumbing systems. (Gray water, which is recycled shower, bath and laundry water, can be used to keep thirsty plants alive, but some precautions should be followed. Check your local County or City Agencies and/or their Building Codes.)
- Harvest rain water for irrigation. (Collect the rain water from your home's rooftop and filter the water. It can be stored in sump or tank for later.)
- Purchase an on-demand hot water system. (On-demand hot water is heated instantly, so you waste less water and save energy. Conventional tank water heaters heat water 24 hours a day, 365 days a year-and you pay for the energy it takes to keep the water hot.)
- Plant drought-tolerant landscaping. (A native or local plant nursery in your area should be able to suggest drought-tolerant landscaping for your region.)
- For additional water conservation resources and links, go to: www.owue.water.ca.gov.
Where can I find more information:
Most of the information presented on this page was taken from an existing Department of Water Resources Guide titled "Water Facts No. 1, Ground Water in Fractured Hard Rock" and is summarized here. More information about California's groundwater can be viewed online at www.groundwater.water.ca.gov/groundwater_basics or contact:
California Department of Water Resources
Northern District: 2440 Main Street, Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 529-7300
Central District: 3251 "S" Street, Sacramento, CA 95816 (916) 227-7561
San Joaquin District: 3374 East Shields Avenue, Fresno, CA 93726 (559) 230-3300
Southern District: 770 Fairmont Avenue #102, Glendale, CA 91203 (818) 543-4600