Exactly how Merced County would implement a proposed groundwater ordinance drew concern from agriculture advocates Monday, when the Board of Supervisors got its first look at a mandate that would regulate well-drilling and out-of-county water sales.
Merced County’s water committee met with groups throughout the county, including the Farm Bureau, water districts and other stakeholders, to get feedback on the proposed ordinance.
The permit system would likely evaluate the availability of surface water, the well’s depth and if the applicant intends to change crops, resulting in an increased need for water, as well as other questions.
As it stands now, the county regulates only how the well is drilled and not whether it will change how much water comes out of the ground, said Merced County Executive Officer Jim Brown.
County staff is looking at having Public Health’s Environmental Health Division monitor the drilling of wells and the Community and Economic Development’s Planning Division watch over out-of-county water sales. The permitting is an attempt to mitigate the sinking of land across the county.