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Butte County explores allowing different water sources for disaster areas

Water tank
APR Tanks
Water tank

The Butte County Board of Supervisors this week will discuss permanent water sources for people in drought and natural disaster areas.

Currently, state law requires that a permanent water source is identified before a building permit is issued. Exceptions are allowed for areas recovering from natural disasters and droughts – which can leave usual water sources contaminated.

Many people living in the 2018 Camp Fire and 2020 Bear Fire or North Complex burn scars use hauled water due to contamination.

But looking forward, supervisors may consider allowing hauled water as a permanent water source in the long-term. That would require a change to the California Water Code.

Supervisors began the discussion on Oct. 10 and now are expected to provide further direction to county staff.

In addition, supervisors will look at the results of a polling and research campaign designed to find out if residents would approve of a tax increase to fund county libraries and rural fire stations. They’ll also vote on a contract with Chico State Enterprises to provide support services for older adults with disabilities and on whether to oppose an assembly juvenile justice and crime prevention bill that would redirect nearly $1 million in federal funds away from public agencies.

Tomorrow’s meeting begins at 9 a.m. and is open to the public.

Erik began his role as NSPR's Butte County government reporter in September of 2023 as part of UC Berkeley's California Local News Fellowship. He received his bachelor's degree in Journalism from Cal State LA earlier that year.