Drilling a Well in Mendocino County
An Update on Progress and Challenges
Image via Halbergman from Getty Images
In October 2024, Gov. Gavin Newsom allowed California's drought emergency declaration to expire, ending the tighter restrictions on drilling water wells in Mendocino County. This rollback—part of Executive Order N‑3‑24 signed on September 5, 2024—removed the added layers of permitting for agricultural and industrial wells introduced during the worst of the drought. Supervisor Ted Williams said at the time, “With the termination of Governor Newsom’s emergency orders… the water well permitting process will return to the standard procedures that were in place before the executive orders” .
One Year Later: Where Things Stand
In the months since, the county has steadily updated its Environmental Health division forms. Permits have returned to baseline processing times, and drilling firms are beginning to see quicker approvals. However, the victory is tempered by ongoing water stress:
According to the county’s Drought Task Force, groundwater remains precarious: roughly 8,000 domestic wells, a third of them shallow (under 100 ft), plus 27 small water systems, remain vulnerable.
Their final report, adopted May 20, 2025, warns that 84% of domestic wells and 93% of State Small Water Systems are in high-risk zones for future drought.
Ayman Alafifi, an environmental consultant presenting the report, emphasized: “What we do during non‑drought years is prepare for drought.”
The Task Force’s recommendations, now approved by the Board of Supervisors, include:
Voluntary water cutbacks during stage‑2 drought.
A county-declared emergency response in stage‑3 drought—triggering funding for emergency wells, hauled water, and coordination support.
Frequent meetings to oversee mutual aid and ensure readiness
Supervisor John Haschak later framed the challenge succinctly: “How do we go about pursuing funding that is so critical to get us into a place where we are prepared for drought?”
Data from Drought.gov show May 2025 ranked as the 38th driest May in 131 years, and the year-to-date as the 39th driest. Although winter rains improved conditions marginally—with one report noting "above average” precipitation early in 2025—the county is still classified as “abnormally dry.”
The repeal of permit restrictions has undeniably eased drilling operations—beneficial for farmers, industry, and households alike. Still, the underlying issue remains: without long-term management and strategic upgrades, swifter permitting could accelerate groundwater depletion.
The county is now channeling efforts into securing state and federal funding, improving drought resilience, and monitoring aquifer levels. Local well-owners can access the updated Well Owner Resources through Mendocino County’s Water Agency website.
Drilling wells got easier, permitting is smoother, and preliminary access has opened up. But Mendocino's broader water future hinges on whether the county can pivot from emergency relief to forward-looking resilience. With meters ticking in aquifers and a warming climate ahead, the region now stands at a crossroads between short-term access and long-term sustainability.
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