Free, Safe Drinking Water
Free, Safe Drinking Water for Eligible Domestic Well Users
The KWF is implementing a free, safe drinking water program for residents dependent on drinking water that exceeds the nitrate drinking water standard. To see if you qualify for the free Bottled Water Program, please complete the application form.
WHY is WATER and
WELL TESTING free?
Recent studies show that areas in Northern Tulare County may have unsafe levels of nitrate in the groundwater. To keep you and your family safe, farms, dairies, cities, and others have teamed together to provide safe and free drinking water.
See if you can have your home's well tested for nitrate at no cost
To apply for free well testing, click here to see if you live within out area.
IMPORTANT: Wells for in-home use may be tested. Wells used to water crops can click here for more information.
You are eligible for free bottled water if:
- Your domestic well water contains nitrate levels above the California Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)
- AND you live within the KWF service area boundary
- OR you receive drinking water from Lemon Cove Water Company
If your drinking water comes from a domestic well, your eligibility depends on:
- Providing to the KWF laboratory results of nitrate over the MCL (10 mg/L)*
- OR obtaining permission from the landowner for a free well test provided by the KWF
You are not eligible if you pay a water utility bill to any utility except for Lemon Cove Water Company.**
*If you receive domestic well results that do not show nitrates, this does not mean that your well water is safe to drink. There are many other types of contamination that could make your drinking water unsafe to consume. If your private well results do not show nitrates, or if you do not want to participate in the KWF program, we encourage you to have your water tested by Self Help Enterprises through their Regional Household Well Assistance Program (559-802-1285).
**All water systems in the KWF service area (except Lemon Cove) are currently compliant for nitrate. If you are not eligible but have concerns about your drinking water quality, contact your water utility provider (look on your utility water bill for a phone number) and/or Tulare County Environmental Health (559-624-7400).
Open to the Public – Free Water Fill Stations
Safe drinking water fill stations are intended to benefit the surrounding communities who have non-compliant drinking water sources. Existing fill stations have been financed by the Kaweah Basin Water Quality Association. Future fill stations are envisioned to be constructed with the intent to meet compliance requirements of the CV-SALTS Nitrate Control Program and provide drinking water at no charge to communities.
Filling Information
When using the Water Fill Station, please bring your own clean water containers. Water containers may be of any size up to a maximum of five gallons. No limit on the number of containers. Water fill stations are open 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Filling stations are open and available to all residents. There are no screening criteria and registration is not required.
Locations
Farmersville Drinking Water Fill Station – Located at 2975 N. Farmersville Blvd., Farmersville
Okieville Drinking Water Fill Station – Located on southwest corner of Avenue 229 and Road 48 in Okieville