The Groundwater Section has been providing groundwater information (i.e. water levels, water quality) along with well construction data to the public for more than 40 years, and will continue to improve such service as much as possible. In addition, we gather data related to groundwater levels and quality by sampling and measuring existing wells on a routine basis. Such activities help us understand and track vital water resources to address any potential concerns before they become problems. New and existing information is recorded, coordinated, and included in topical studies.
The Ventura County Groundwater Section addresses all water supply sources including groundwater, surface flows, imported and reclaimed water, as well as alternative resources such as conjunctive use and desalination. Water management programs include drought planning, governmental quality compliance, and several water conservation programs.
Forms
- Well Permit Application
This application is for projects that require a new well to supply the potable water use. - Well Pump Test Form
This application is for projects where the water supply is from a well. - Well Pump Test Criteria
This document contains procedures on completing the well pump test form.
Brochures
Coming Soon
Guidelines & Standards
- Manure Management Plan Guidelines
For projects involving animal husbandry uses. - Minimum Lot Size Chart for Nitrate Impacted Groundwater Basins
For tentative subdivision map applications, this document provides information for proposed projects that will utilize on-site wastewater treatment systems located within nitrate impacted groundwater basins (e.g. Santa Rosa Valley). - Model for Determining Nitrate Loading for Septic Systems
For tentative subdivision map applications, this document provides information for proposed projects that will rely on septic systems located within nitrate impacted groundwater basins. - Ventura County Waterworks Manual
This manual lists criterions for demonstrating a long-term domestic groundwater supply. - Groundwater Basin Map
This map identifies the groundwater basins in Ventura County. - Inventory of Water Purveyors in Ventura County (March 2006 edition)
This document lists the requirements to identify the water purveyor that serves the project site as a permanent water supply. - Map of Water Purveyors in Ventura County
This map identifies the Water Purveyors Service Area in Ventura County. - Procedures for Locating a Well
Laws/Ordinances
The Ventura County Well Ordinance No. 4468 ensures that the construction, maintenance, operation, use, repair, modification, and destruction of water wells are executed in such a manner that the groundwater will not be contaminated or polluted, and that water obtained from the water wells will be suitable for use and will not jeopardize the health, safety or welfare of the community in Ventura County.
Policies
The Groundwater Section adheres to all policies set forth by the Ventura County Well Ordinance (No. 4468), as well as other State and local laws and regulations. Please review the Guidelines/Standards page and Laws/Ordinances page for more information.
Fees
The cost of obtaining a water well permit for (construction, destruction, modification, etc.) is listed on the County Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 21-070 Establishing Fees
The Ventura County Groundwater Section also assesses fees to review discretionary permits. The Groundwater Section does not directly bill the applicant for discretionary permit applications, but instead we invoice the Planning Division for our staff review time, which includes plan checks, project application reviews, and field inspections. Plan check fees are not billed directly to the applicant, but are included in the initial County permit application costs.
The hourly time for a Groundwater section staff assigned to a discretionary project review is calculated based on the following service rates:
|
Well Permit Fee Schedule |
|
| Water Supply Wells | Fee |
|
Permits for installation, repair, or destruction of water wells and cathodic protection wells |
$1,335.00 |
|
For each additional water well or cathodic protection well which is located on the same parcel and is sealed the same day |
$200.00 |
|
For permits solely to increase the depth of an existing well (where no County Inspector visit is required) |
$430.00 |
| Monitoring Wells* | |
|
Permits for installation, repair, and destruction of monitory wells and drilling engineering test holes; up to four wells/borings on the same parcel |
$470.00 |
|
- For each additional well which is located on the same parcel |
$55.00 |
|
Annual permit for drilling engineering test holes |
$700.00 |
| Permit Extension | |
|
For extending the expiration date of any well/boring permit in six months (not applicable to Annual permits) |
$40.00 |
*Note: A well permit is not required for drilling Engineering test holes (soil borings, hydropunch, geoprobes, etc) that are less than 50 feet deep and do not encounter groundwater or for cathodic protection wells that are less than 50 feet deep
FAQs
Why do I have to get a well permit?
All wells must be permitted to ensure a licensed drilling contractor does a proper job, and to make sure an adequate annular seal is installed to prevent groundwater contamination.
Why do well permits cost so much?
The price charged for a permit covers any processing fees, and also includes the Public Works Inspector's time onsite to verify and witness the annular seal placement and construction methods.
How deep should I drill my well?
How deep a well is drilled depends on the depth of the aquifers or groundwater producing layers, and also what flow rate or water quality you desire. Each of these factors could change with location and elevation.
Which driller or drilling company should I use?
Any licensed driller can be hired to install or repair a well, but the driller must be registered with the Groundwater Section, provide documentation that they hold a C-57 California Contractors License, and must show proof of Workman's Compensation insurance before a well permit will be issued.
What is a pump test and why do I need one?
Pump tests are a means of evaluating well performance. A pump test is required by the Groundwater Section in areas that are considered to be marginal groundwater production zones or areas outside of designated groundwater basins. There is no distinction between old and new wells when a pump test is requested for a project or development. Any well may require a pump test. A pump test form and pump test criteria are available for download.
How much water does my well have to pump?
Domestic wells must pump at least 5 gallons per minute (gpm) for 24 hours, and the static water level must recover 100% in 24 hours to qualify as a water source for a 3-bedroom, single family residence. Larger volumes of water are required for larger projects. The requirements are summarized in the Ventura County Waterworks Manual (available through the Engineering Services Department or can be downloaded HERE.
Why do abandoned or improperly constructed wells need to be destroyed?
Abandoned or improperly constructed wells can be health and safety hazards, and can act as conduits to transmit contaminated surface water or groundwater to aquifers, and must be destroyed.
Do I have to report the use of my well and why?
As of January 1, 1999, well usage within Ventura County must be reported annually to reveal the status or condition of the well. All wells must be pumped at least 8-hours per year, or they are considered abandoned. Abandoned wells, or inactive wells, must be destroyed at the owner's expense. In some cases, a certificate of exemption may be granted for inactive wells which the owner plans to re-activate in the future.
If I just want a small well for landscape irrigation, can I drill it myself?
Regardless of the intended use or location, a well cannot be drilled by anyone except a State C-57 licensed water well drilling contractor.
What are the minimum water well setback distances from septic tanks and other potential sources of contamination?
According to Ventura County Environmental Health and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), water wells must be located a certain minimum distance from potential sources of contamination. The minimum water well setback distances are summarized in the following table:
Minimum Water Well Setbacks
Minimum Water Well Setbacks
|
Structure |
DWR Requirements |
Ventura County Environmental Health Requirements |
|
Sewer or Pit Privy |
50 ft |
50 ft |
|
Subsurface Sewage Leaching Field or Watertight Septic Tank, |
100 ft |
100 ft |
|
Cesspool or Seepage Pit |
150 ft |
150 ft |
|
Animal or Fowl Enclosure |
100 ft |
Recommended 100 ft |
I'm not within a water agency boundary. Are there any restrictions on water use?
There may be restrictions. The State of California does not allow waste of groundwater. Also, there are a number of other potential limitations on groundwater pumping in the County. Some areas within the County are formally covered by one (or in some cases more than one) groundwater management agency or strategy. If your property is located within the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency (FCGMA), and/or the United Water Conservation District, and/or the Santa Paula Basin Pumpers Association, or the Ojai Basin Groundwater Management Agency (OBGMA), we suggest you contact them to determine what if any limitations on groundwater pumping they require. We suggest that you contact the local agencies to get additional information.
Can I own more than one well?
Yes.
Can I save money by applying for more than one well on the same permit?
Yes, significant savings are possible by having more than one well covered by the same permit. For example, an old well can be destroyed under the same permit used to drill a new well if they are located on the same parcel. Rather than pay $1,335.00 for each separate permit, the fee for both would be $1,335 plus $200 for the second well on the same permit resulting in a net savings of $1,135. Work on both wells must be completed prior to the expiration data on the permit. If more than 2 wells are planned, the savings would be even greater.
Contacts
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Jeff Dorrington
Government Center
Hall of Administration,
Watershed Front Counter
805-654-2907
7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m