Drought conditions continue for thousands of rural residents in the San Joaquin valley who rely on groundwater.
The state is trying not to abandon people with dry wells.
Starting July 1, an additional year of free water will be delivered to massive tanks that were placed at many dwellings with dry wells, including the Rios’ home.
One year won’t be enough time to fix all the problems out there.
“And what will happen should any new homes run out of water during the next year?” asks Jenny Rempel, director of education and engagement for the nonprofit advocacy group Community Water Center.
“That’s not a good solution if you’ve been waiting for years already.” Herrera works with Tulare County residents, including those in Monson, where about 200 residents have never had access to a central water system – just private wells.
But Monson has been waiting since 2008 when contamination was found in private wells.
About 800 homes will be hooked up to water soon in East Porterville, where more than 7,000 people went dry a few years ago, Coyne says.
Even as millions of dollars are invested and the water comes back to many homes, residents know wells could go dry again if groundwater pumping ramps up.
A Sacramento Bee investigation found a record 2,500 wells were drilled in San Joaquin Valley in 2015 during the height of the drought.