California’s water troubles didn’t end with the drought — they just went underground.
Now, the emergency money for such projects has dried up.
In addition, many of those people live in small, unincorporated communities, which often lack the resources to properly maintain community water systems.
The state is trying not to abandon people with dry wells.
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.