SACRAMENTO >> The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) adopted a resolution Tuesday authorizing the allocation of $5 million in funds to help residents with private wells and small water systems who are facing water emergencies.
The funds, which will be administered by nonprofit organizations, will help individuals who have an immediate drought-related water shortage or outage.
The $5 million will fund interim and permanent solutions such as new wells, well rehabilitation and consolidation into new or existing public water systems.
The funding will expand and augment the existing grant and low-interest loan program nonprofit organizations are currently offering through a U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded program.
Nonprofit organizations must prioritize funds to serve disadvantaged individuals or communities with an annual median household income less than 80 percent of the statewide median income, but may provide assistance to other communities as well.
On Nov. 13, Gov. Jerry Brown’s Executive Order directed the State Water Board to use up to $5 million of the $15 million appropriated from the Cleanup and Abatement Account for drought-related drinking water emergencies to assist those with private wells and small water systems.
