Potable water fill-up stations are open for residential dry well owners

CHICO » The Butte County Department of Water Resources has opened several locations for residential well owners who need water to pick up potable water in Chico and Oroville.

Butte County said it will verify residents are using the water for household uses only.

On July 20, the Butte County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution proclaiming a local emergency due to increased reports of residential wells going dry from drought conditions. The proclamation has given the county increased access to resources to assist with dry wells.

There is one location in Chico that potable water may be collected, located at 2750 Aztec Drive, which is being supplied by Butte County and Cal Water, Chico. At the Chico location Butte County residents can access 100 gallons of water per person per day and is open noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

Department of Water Resources administrative analyst Autum Thomas said that if a resident comes on Monday they could receive 100 gallons, and if they come again on Wednesday they could receive an additional 200 gallons since the filling station is closed Tuesday. If residents come again Saturday 300 gallons would be available due to the closure on Thursday and Friday.

Three locations in Oroville are available for water pick up. These locations include at 750 Oro Bangor Highway, 2310 Oro Quincy Highway and 234 Kelly Ridge Road.

The three Oroville locations will accommodate containers up to five gallons. Access for residential well owners who need water because of drought conditions is unlimited and there is no limit on daily use.

At all four locations residents must fill and haul the water themselves. Butte County is encouraging residents to use the water for everyday functions such as showering, laundry and flushing toilets.

The county is suggesting residents use bottled water for drinking.

If one is unable to haul their own water, a list of licensed water haulers as well as other information from the California Department of Public Health about bottled and vended water can be found by visiting https:// bit.ly/3tWoGx2.

“The full level of assistance for residential well owners whose wells have gone dry still remains to be determined,” Butte County Administration public information officer Miranda Bowersox said in a press release Friday.

“The county’s immediate focus is providing access to water for those residents experiencing water issues while they work towards a long-term solution.”

To report dry wells visit https://mydrywatersupply. water.ca.gov/report/.

Information about tracking the 2021 water year and the drought, as well as financial resources to assist residents, Butte County Drought Response and other similar topics can be found on the Butte County Department of Water and Resource Conservation page at https:// bit.ly/3zyMQ1I.