Water Well Program

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• Upcoming Public Comment Period – Updated California Well Standards (Bulletin 74)

  The County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) would like to share an important update regarding the California Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) ongoing efforts to revise Bulletin 74 – California Well Standards. DWR is in the final stages of updating the standards, which were last revised in 1991. This multi‑year effort represents a significant step toward modernizing statewide requirements for the construction, maintenance and destruction of wells.

  The updated Bulletin 74 is expected to be released for public review and comment from November 5, 2026, through January 7, 2027.

  DEHQ encourages all well stakeholders, including well drillers, consultants, property owners, water agencies, and other interested parties, to review the updated standards during the public comment period. These revisions may affect well construction, maintenance and destruction practices throughout California. This public review period provides an important opportunity to become familiar with the proposed changes and to submit comments directly to DWR before the standards are finalized.

  In addition, stakeholders are encouraged to identify and communicate any region‑specific challenges, including cost or implementation concerns, particularly if certain statewide revisions may not align with conditions unique to San Diego County.

  Written Comments: 

  • Public comment period: November 5, 2026 – January 7, 2027
  • The Public Review Draft and online comment form will be available on DWR’s project webpage beginning November 5, 2026.

  Virtual Public Meetings: DWR will host two virtual public meetings to provide opportunities for stakeholders to ask questions and offer verbal comments.

  • Meeting #1
    • Wednesday, December 9, 2026, from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
    • Zoom Registration Link: https://kearnswest.zoom.us/meeting/register/2Cp897tDS86e--s-lqpDCQ
  • Meeting #2
    • Friday, December 11, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
    • Zoom Registration Link: https://kearnswest.zoom.us/meeting/register/9yihs9RpQeSWOb4xGjHqwQ

  Additional information about the Well Standards Update, including the updated Bulletin 74 and public participation opportunities, is also available on the DWR website.

  DEHQ will continue to share updates regarding Bulletin 74 and the public comment process as new information becomes available. Thank you for your ongoing partnership in protecting groundwater resources and supporting safe, responsible well construction throughout San Diego County. If you have any questions, please contact our office at Wells.DEH@sdcounty.ca.gov or (858) 505‑6688.

• UPDATED POLICY – Overdue Well Drilling Completion Reports – Effective July 1, 2026

  The Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) is notifying well drillers and consultants that beginning July 1, 2026, an updated policy will take effect regarding overdue Well Drilling Completion Reports for monitoring wells and water wells.  Failure to follow the policy may result in the suspension of the ability to obtain new well permits.

  Per San Diego County Code (SDCC) §67.447, Well Completion Reports must be submitted to DEHQ within 60 days of completing the work. DEHQ has identified instances where final Completion Reports were not submitted within the required timeframe. If a report remains overdue for more than 60 days, DEHQ will conduct a site inspection, and an enforcement fee will be assessed.

  To ensure timely submission of completion reports and to be in compliance with County ordinance, DEHQ will implement the following policy as of July 1, 2026:

  1. Well permit applications approved on or after July 1, 2026: If the Well Completion Report is not submitted within 180 days of completing the work, no new well permits will be issued to the driller or consultant until all overdue reports have been received.
     
     
  2. Well Completion Reports from projects completed between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2026: Drillers and consultants will have until January 1, 2027 (180 days from July 1, 2026), to submit all outstanding reports. If all overdue reports are not submitted by this deadline, no new well permits will be issued to the driller or consultant until all overdue reports have been received.
      
     • Once all outstanding reports from July 1, 2023 onward have been submitted in compliance with SDCC §67.447, the driller or consultant will again be eligible to apply for and receive new well permits.
       
       
  3. If work has not been performed to construct a well for which a permit application was approved by DEHQ from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026, please send written notification to Wells.DEH@sdcounty.ca.gov.
     
     
  4. If the well has not been constructed within the first 120 days after permit application approval, the applicant may request a one-year time extension from the date the permit was approved to complete the work.

  If you have any questions or need assistance with submitting reports, please contact our office at Wells.DEH@sdcounty.ca.gov or (858) 505-6688.

• Executive Orders N-7-22 & N-3-23

  As of 9/4/2024, the Executive Orders N-7-22 & N-3-23 are no longer in effect.

• New Permitting Requirements – Upper San Luis Rey Valley Groundwater Basin

  LINK

• New Permitting Requirements – Borrego Springs Subbasin

  LINK