More Water Wells Going Dry

Sonora, CA — Several water wells have gone dry in Tuolumne County over the past several weeks, and help is available for residents impacted.

Tuolumne County Environmental Health Officer Rob Kostlivey says over 50 private wells have gone dry during the current drought, and 25 were reported during a recent 14-day period.

There is a program available in Tuolumne County to help anyone whose well has gone dry. Funding is from the California Disaster Assistance Act, signed by Governor Jerry Brown.

“Essentially, if you are out of water, we will go out and inspect, and then provide you with means to get water out there,” says Kostlivey. “So that might be installing a storage tank, at no cost to the homeowner, and then we would fill it up on a weekly basis, at no cost to the homeowner.”

Kostlivey says there’s no reason for residents to fear calling the county to report a dry water well.

For information about the disaster relief program, related to dried up wells, you can contact the Tuolumne County Community Resources Agency at 209-533-5633.