Wondering about Groundwater Levels in your Area?
If you have a well in the valley, visit California’s Groundwater Live and select “Groundwater Levels” and then “Current Groundwater Conditions” to use the mapping application to view the depth to groundwater in your neighborhood based on groundwater level conditions measured in monitoring wells.
For even more detail on each well, click on the dot representing the well on the map, scroll to the bottom of the pop up box and click on “Groundwater Level Report” and then on “Groundwater Level Data”. You can also call 530-552-3595 for help navigating the site.
Tutorials are also available at: https://sgma.water.ca.gov/CalGWLive/about.htm
Households that rely on well water can face problems during a drought. Being prepared can reduce the chance of well problems and shorten the time it takes to restore water. As a rule, you should be mindful of your well's health and functionality on an ongoing basis, but especially during a drought period.
Wellowner.org has an abundance of basic information on wells and regular maintenance, including a great Well Owners Guide. You can gain access to free classes on Domestic Wells at PrivateWellClass.org. Be sure to view the Butte County private well owner informational brochure.
Report Water Supply Shortage
Individuals are encouraged to report dry wells or water supply shortages to DWR’s online Household Water Supply Shortage Reporting System. This will help inform state and local agencies on water shortage impacts to households served by wells, and will help identify the need for local, state, or federal assistance.
Go to DWR’s Dry Well Reporting System webpage and click the Submit Report button.
Reports can be made anonymously and data will be made available on the California Groundwater Live mapping application.
Water Hauling
Emergency Water Filling Stations
South Butte County
In the Oroville/Bangor areas, South Feather Water and Power 530.533.4578 provides three locations with potable (drinking) water, open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
2310 Oro Quincy Hwy, Oroville, this location will accommodate containers up to 5-gallons. Public access is unlimited. No limit on daily use.
234 Kelly Ridge Road, Oroville, this location will accommodate containers up to 5-gallons. Public access is unlimited. No limit on daily use.
7540 Oro Bangor Hwy. Oroville (Cal Fire parking lot on the left), this location will accommodate containers up to 5-gallons. Public access is unlimited. No limit on daily use.
The locations listed above provide potable water for residents to fill and haul themselves. While the water is potable at the source, there is no guarantee it will remain safe to drink if it is put in a container that is not certified for hauling potable water. The County encourages residents to use water from these locations for everyday functions, such as showering, doing laundry, and flushing toilets. Residents should use bottled water for drinking.
Local Licensed Water Haulers
Currently Butte County residents may hire a water hauler licensed by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The list below is from the CDPH website and is not an endorsement by Butte County. A complete list of licensed water haulers can be found on the CDPH website.
Butte County
Ben Porta Showers
720 Colusa Hwy, Gridley
(510) 846-4110
Butte Valley Water Delivery
1900 Oro Dam Blvd #12, Oroville
(530) 552-0145
Butte Water Truck Service
5656 Miners Ranch Road, Oroville
(530) 589-0645
Craig Dewsnup Trucking
179 Little Avenue, Gridley
(530) 846-3116
L&L Farms
4577 Midway, Richvale
(530) 521-3147
Patane Farms, Field Services LLC
3169 4th Street, Biggs
(530) 682-6680
Tough Company Fire Inc.
2669 Highway 32, Chico
(530) 228-5384
Colusa County
Keeley Trucking
437 Market Street, Colusa
(530) 682-7443
Traynham Ranch
7082 Tule Road, Arbuckle
(530) 476-223
Gandy-Stanley Oil Company, Inc.
630 Eureka Street, Willows
(530) 934-3168
Tozier’s Fire Support, LLC
400 6th Street, Hamilton City
(530) 521-9904
All American Emergency Services
3540 South Hwy 99W, Corning
(530) 521-5377
Ben Haynes Construction
19585 Alta Vista Drive, Red Bluff
(530) 781-3988
Firewater Supply
1005 Vista Way, Suite D & E, Red Bluff
(530) 351-2792
Hill Enterprises
20794 Dalby Lane, Red Bluff
(530) 518-3912
Lonestar Enterprises – AB1 Water Delivery
7782 Hwy 99, Los Molinos
(530) 624-4332
Report Illegal Water Hauling or Water Diversions
Please see the flyers or reach out to the following contacts.
FAQ: Water Hauling and Cannabis Cultivation
Illegal Water Hauling
California Water Boards Contact
Mr. Taro Murano
Water Rights Enforcement
Taro.Murano@waterboards.ca.gov
(916) 341-5399
Lake and Streambed Alteration Program Regional Contact
R2LSA@wildlife.ca.gov
(916) 358-2885
California EPA | Environmental Complaint Form
Save Our Water | Water Waste Complaint Form
FAQ’s
My well has “gone dry”, what do I do?
This occurs when the groundwater levels fall below the depth of the pump or the bottom of the well. You will need to contact a licensed contractor who can assess your situation and give you options. Wellowner.org has a contractor lookup tool.
If you have the ability to store water or purchase a storage tank, be sure to use only licensed water haulers for delivery of safe, clean potable water. A list of licensed water haulers in Butte County and surrounding counties can be found in the section above. A complete list of licensed water haulers can be found on the CDPH website.
How can I find out where the groundwater level is in my area?
Depth to groundwater for monitoring wells in your area can be viewed on the California’s Groundwater Live website. Use the map to find a monitoring well near you. If you know the total depth of your well, where it is screened, and how deep your pump sits in the borehole then you can compare that information to local groundwater conditions to gauge your risk for running into well troubles.
Additionally there are two real-time multi-completion groundwater level monitoring wells currently transmitting data:
20N2E24C1-3M – located on Nelson Rd. near HWY 99
21N1E13L2-4M - located at the CSU Chico State Farm
Groundwater level monitoring occurs throughout the year. Results and summaries are provided in the Department’s Groundwater Status Report. Call our department if you have questions about groundwater conditions, 530-552-3595.
I haven’t had problems but how can I be proactive?
Annual well maintenance is highly recommended. Have your well serviced to check pump performance, depth to water, and the depth of your pump. Butte County has put together a Domestic Wells pamphlet to help property owners navigate well maintenance.
Knowing the total depth and general construction of your well can help you anticipate how your well may respond in drought conditions. This information can be found on a Well Log that was filled out at the time your well was drilled or may be available from the pump company which performed the installation. We recommend always having your well log on hand, especially during dry times.
Where can I find a copy of my Well Log?
A copy of your Well Log, also known as a Well Completion Report, is available from the Department of Water Resources (DWR) – Northern Region Office. This will give you more information about your well including its construction details, total depth and casing and screening information. Well information is available online at no charge via the Well Completion Report Mapping Application. If you are unable to find the report using the online application, you may request one by filling out and submitting a Well Completion Report Request Form, a fee may be charged. For more information contact the Northern Region office at NRO_WCR@water.ca.gov or 530-529-7368.
If DWR cannot locate your Well Log, you may also request your well depth information and Well Log from the Butte County Public Health Department Environmental Health Division. Call them at 530-552-3880.