Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Environment
  •  

Well Drilling Spikes In Drought-Stricken Central Valley

  •  Pauline Bartolone 
Thursday, May 29, 2014 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Marnette Federis / Capital Public Radio

A dry well in Fresno County

Marnette Federis / Capital Public Radio

Many people who live in the Fresno area say water isn’t flowing from their taps like it used to. Households using private groundwater wells are finding the water table is falling below their pump during the drought.  CapRadio's Pauline Bartolone visited the people in Fresno they call when the water runs out. 

Arthur and Orum drills new water wells for farmers and homeowners in the Fresno area.

0527 On The Phone

Kim Hammond receives calls from farmers and homeowners about drilling deeper or new wells on their properties. Marnette Federis / Capital Public Radio

The company’s Kim Hammond says phones have been ringing off the hook.

“It’s just panic in their voice when they call, because they’ve woke up in the morning and they don’t have any water," says Hammond.

Hammond says she has more bad news for the people on the phone, there’s an eight to nine-month wait, and new wells can cost $17,000 or more.

“As I’m giving the people the information, they’re telling me their sad stories, as to “I’ve got $10,000 in landscaping, what am I going to do?" she says.

0527-driller -sign

Kim Hammond with Arthur and Orum Well Drilling, Inc. says their phones are ringing off the hook from farmers and homeowners inquiring about how to get a new or deeper well drilled on their properties. Marnette Federis / Capital Public Radio

Fresno County says twice the number of wells are being drilled this year compared to last. And Hammond says, yes, the well drilling business is booming, but it can be overwhelming.

“We only have so many rigs, and we are drilling deeper than ever before, and we are encountering things that we’ve never encountered," she says.

Environmental advocates say the state does not adequately manage who is using groundwater and how much. They say overdrawing the underground supply can cause the ground to sink and lead to inequities in water access.

0527-binder -for -wells

Paperwork for the wells currently being worked on by Arthur and Orum Well Drilling, Inc. Marnette Federis / Capital Public Radio

0527-drilling -rig

An example of a rig by another well drilling company. Marnette Federis / Capital Public Radio


Click here to see an interactive graphic of the number of wells drilled in Fresno County from 2009 to 2013


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about drought

  • State Of Drought

    Reservoir levels are at historic lows, municipalities are ordering mandatory conservation and farmers are bracing for water shortages. CapRadio is following how Californians are being impacted by the drought.

    Related Stories

  • Katie Orr, Capital Public Radio

    Brown Signs Groundwater Legislation

    Tuesday, September 16, 2014
    Governor Jerry Brown has signed a package of legislation aimed at regulating groundwater use in California.
  • Drilling Through the Drought: A Look At Well Drilling Activity In The Central Valley

    Monday, September 8, 2014
    There’s been a drilling frenzy for water in the San Joaquin Valley during the drought. And it’s evident in the number of well permits issued by eight Central Valley counties. Capital Public Radio obtained the data from each county.
  • 'Pioneer Spirit' Helping Central Valley Residents Deal With Drought

    Wednesday, June 11, 2014
    When one Central Valley couple learned their private well might run dry in a matter of months, they formed a plan.
  • Drought Intensifies Push for Better California Groundwater Management

    Wednesday, June 11, 2014
    The drought is becoming a source of tension between homeowners and farmers in the Southern Central Valley and it's prompting the state to look at new ways to manage groundwater more sustainably.
  • Marnette Federis / Capital Public Radio

    The 'Deepest Straw Wins' in Central Valley Scramble for Groundwater

    Tuesday, June 10, 2014
    Central Valley farmers and homeowners compete for groundwater resources during the drought. Some fare better than others.

 droughtenvironmentenvironmentwater

Pauline Bartolone

Editor-at-Large

Pauline’s been a journalist for two decades, covering health care, education and the many disparities that exist in California.  Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Environment Stories

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Composting starts soon in Sacramento County. Here’s what you need to know.

June 29, 2022

AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File

What the Supreme Court ruling means for the EPA's ability to fight climate change

June 30, 2022

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California coronavirus updates: COVID-19 cases are increasing globally

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

As states ban abortion, Californians open their arms and wallets

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California coronavirus updates: COVID-19 cases are increasing globally

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

As states ban abortion, Californians open their arms and wallets

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.