The topic of delivered water was discussed by the Butte County Board of Supervisors last week.
The board decided not to continue considering hauled water as a permanent water source. It was ultimately shot down by Board Chair, Tod Kimmelshue.
“Developments should be where water is available,” Kimmelshue said. “I think our policy should stand where it is and I don’t think any more staff time should be used on this issue.”
State law requires building permits to be issued only if projects have a permanent water source available — like a public or private well or a local water provider.
But drought and disaster-affected areas are exempt because, under these conditions, wells can become damaged and contaminated.
Also, an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom suspended a rule that water providers must deliver within their own service areas. This allows hauled water from outside areas in certain disaster and drought areas to be a main source for rebuilding.
Some supervisors, like Bill Connelly, argued in favor of using hauled water more permanently.
“I think it’s an option that should be held open especially with swings in our climate,” Connelly said.
But Supervisor Tami Ritter spoke out against the idea, citing the need to amend the California water code as a risk for other communities that don’t have reliable water sources.
“It’s a change throughout the state of California,” Ritter said. “We don’t want to see huge developments go into areas where they cannot support that development.”
There’s no date in place for the executive order to end, so water providers can deliver outside of their boundaries indefinitely.
The state grant that paid for the water to be hauled into communities ended in October.
Earlier this year, the county applied for more grant funding to continue covering the cost of delivery. But there’s no set date.
Without the grant, residents would have to start paying for the hauled water as long as it is provided by a water provider.
