San Joaquin Valley Safe Water Resources

Resources for Nitrate Contamination

Through a State Water Board order, management zones were created in the Central Valley. Nitrate polluters in each management zones are required to provide free well testing to households in their service area to determine if their well has nitrate contamination levels above the legal limit of 10 mg/L (milligrams per liter). If test results return a nitrate level above the legal limit, the management zone must offer free monthly bottled water deliveries. To determine if you live in a management zone which offers these free services, view the maps found here.

If you have any questions, please contact Kjia Rivers at kjia.rivers@communitywatercenter.org

Other Resources

If you do not live in a management zone, need to test your well for more than only nitrate, or have a dry well, Self-Help Enterprises can help connect you to safe water resources for your home. You can call or email the Self-Help contacts below based on your need. You will need to leave a detailed voicemail with your name and phone number.

If you do not hear back, please let us know by contacting us at 559-733-0219.

Water Quality Testing

  • Water from your well can be tested for contamination to determine if it is safe to use for drinking, cooking, and other daily home uses.

  • If contamination is confirmed, you may be eligible for short-term drinking water assistance programs, including the bottled water program described below, or a filtration system.

  • Leave a detailed voicemail with Self-Help Enterprises at (559) 802-1285 or email waterquality@selfhelpenterprises.org

 

Solutions for Dry Wells

  • If your well is pumping sand or has gone completely dry, a storage tank and hauled water can be provided as an emergency short-term solution.

  • Applicants to this program are also eligible for bottled water and will be provided with additional information about funding options for a replacement well or another water source.

  • Leave a detailed voicemail with Self-Help Enterprises at (559) 802-1685 or email droughtsupport@selfhelpenterprises.org

 

Bottled Water

  • You must provide well testing results to be eligible. If your well has not been tested in the last year, you are encouraged to apply for the well-testing program described here before you apply for bottled water.

  • Direct assistance line for residents for Bottled Water:

    Call : 559-802-1284

    Email: BottledWater@selfhelpenterprises.org

If you have any questions or would like support with reaching out, please contact us at 559-733-0219.