Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kings Subbasin Domestic Well Mitigation Program?
The Dry Well Relief Program is a pathway to help households in the Kings Subbasin who lose water due to their well running dry. For those eligible, the Program offers temporary water relief including bottled water delivery for drinking and a water tank for household needs. The Program also assists with long-term solutions, like deepening your well or drilling a new one.
Why is there a Kings Subbasin Domestic Well Mitigation Program?
Domestic and State Small Water System wells going dry is a concern in the San Joaquin Valley, especially during drought periods when the demand for groundwater increases and can cause the water table to drop below shallower wells. To help individuals and families secure a reliable water supply, Groundwater Sustainability Agencies in the Kings Subbasin began the Dry Well Relief Program. The Program is authorized under the Agencies’ Domestic Well Mitigation Plan Rules and Regulations.
Who does the Kings Subbasin Domestic Well Mitigation Program serve?
The Dry Well Relief Program serves households with domestic wells and State Small Water Systems (5 – 14 connections) in the Kings Subbasin, a groundwater basin in the southern San Joaquin Valley. The Kings Subbasin includes portions of Fresno, Tulare and Kings counties. To find out if you are located within the eligibility area, check your address on our map at mydrywell.org.
What type of assistance is provided through the Program?
The Dry Well Relief Program provides eligible households with Temporary Water Relief Services (water bottle delivery service and a hauled water tank) and identifies and helps execute a Long-Term Water Supply Solution (lowering pump, deepen existing well, drill new well). Financial assistance such as grants and zero interest loans are provided to implement the Long-Term Water Supply Solution.
How do I know if my well qualifies for the Kings Subbasin Domestic Well Mitigation Program?
To qualify for the Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- The individual applying must be the well owner. If you are the well owner, you will be asked to provide documentation as part of the application process proving ownership such as a deed, land title or mortgage statement.
- The well must be used for domestic purposes only. This includes domestic (drinking water) wells that serve no more than four connections, or a State Small Water System well that serves between five and fourteen connections.
- The well failed due to lowering groundwater levels. Owners will be asked to provide a report from a well services contractor during the application process.
- The household’s income is equal to or less than 80% of the State median household income (MHI). Owners will be asked to provide proof of income during the application process.
- Only wells that have gone dry on or after October 1, 2024 are eligible.
What type of well failures are not covered by the Program?
Well failure must be a direct result of groundwater level declines caused by groundwater pumping in the general area. The following well failures are not eligible for the Program:
- Plugged well screens
- Collapse well casings
- Pump or electrical failures
- Tree roots or other foreign objects in wells
- Biofouling/biofilm
- Sedimentation in the well
- Water quality problems
- Well construction defect
- Any other reason not related to groundwater level declines
Are agricultural wells covered under the Kings Subbasin Domestic Well Mitigation Program?
No, agricultural, commercial, and industrial wells are not covered under the Dry Well Relief Program. Only domestic and State Small Water System wells that lose water due to the well running dry are eligible for the Program.
How can I apply for the Kings Subbasin Domestic Well Mitigation Program?
To apply for the Program, fill out the application form at mydrywell.org. You will be guided through each step of the process. While you don’t need these to get the application started, we recommend you gather documentation for Proof of Ownership and Proof of Income as they will be required for upload before you submit the application.
What documents count as proof of ownership and proof of income?
During the application process, you will be asked to upload proof of ownership and income. For ownership, something like a deed, land title or mortgage statement will be accepted. For income, your household’s tax returns from the previous two years will be requested.
What is the application process?
The application process is as follows:
- Well Assessment – the well owner hires a well services contractor to assess the well to determine the well condition and cause of failure. Information and documentation from the well assessment is required to be submitted as part of the online application process.
- Apply – applicants complete the application form, providing information about themselves and the well. This includes providing Proof of Ownership and Proof of Income.
- Eligibility Screening – the program team determines the applicant’s eligibility for temporary water relief services. This eligibility screening may involve further investigation of the well by technical professionals on the program team.
- Submit Request for Temporary Water Relief – if eligible, the well owner will be prompted to submit a request for temporary water relief services to begin receiving bottled water delivery and a hauled water tank.
- Long-Term Water Supply Solution – the program team will coordinate with the well owner to to coordinate the funding and contracts to complete the best long-term solution for your water supply.
Can I hire my own well services contractor to do my well assessment?
Yes, you can choose your own contractor to assess your well. You (or your contractor on your behalf) will be required to submit a well assessment form reporting the reason the well went dry.
Start the application process at mydrywell.org to download the well assessment PDF form for your contractor to fill out and sign during their visit. You can upload this completed form into the application.
Alternatively, you can fill out the online version of the form through the application, and upload documentation of the assessment provided by your contractor (e.g. an itemized report or invoice).
I am not sure who to call to do the well assessment. Do you have recommendations?
Yes, we have a list of pre-qualified contractors that can be contacted to help do your well assessment. Contact us to request the list.
Can I choose the well driller and/or pump company for my long-term solution?
The Kings Subbasin Domestic Well Mitigation Program team maintains a list of pre-qualified contractors for both temporary water and the long-term solution. The Program team will work directly with the contractors on providing temporary water services to your home (bottled water and hauled tank). For long-term solutions, the Program team will coordinate between you and the selected contractor to implement the solution.
Who determines if my well is eligible for assistance?
The Dry Well Relief Program team (Program team) will work with the Groundwater Sustainability Agencies who adopted and are funding this program to determine eligibility and the appropriate Long-Term Water Supply Solution depending on your unique situation.
When will I find out if I’m eligible for assistance under the Kings Subbasin Domestic Well Mitigation Program?
After your application completes the review process, you will be notified if you qualify for the Program. Please allow 13-25 days for the Program team to review your application and start the process for temporary water services. However, staffing, funding, and demand for new wells may affect this timeframe, especially during times of drought when new wells could be in high demand.
Still have questions?