§ 9-602

This Chapter specifies the requirements for water systems in both new and existing development. The following requirements apply to all development requiring facilities and services for water supply, unless otherwise specified in this Title.

(a)

Compliance with Environmental Health Department and Agency Requirements. When connection to a public water system is not required by the County, the water system shall comply with the requirements of the Environmental Health Department.

(b)

Approval by Other Agencies for Public Water Systems. For development projects requiring a public water system, the water system shall meet the requirements of the County Fire Warden, the Environmental Health Department, the Public Works Department, and the public agency or district providing the service.

(a)

Standards. The standards for water systems are as follows:

(1)

Minimum Requirements. Any development project shall, at a minimum, provide a water system meeting the requirements of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations and the well standards in Chapter 9-601, Water Well and Well Drilling Regulations, if applicable, or the standards of the agency that will operate and maintain the public water system.

(2)

Quantity of Water Required. Sufficient water shall be always available from the water sources and distribution reservoirs to supply adequately, dependably, and safely the total requirements of all users under maximum demand conditions, including water for domestic and fire protection purposes. The water system must be able to maintain a minimum pressure of 20 pounds per square inch (psi) at all water service connections in the system under all conditions and at all times.

(3)

Individual Wells. For development where individual wells are an acceptable water system, at least one test well shall be developed and tested for quality and quantity prior to issuance of a building permit.

(A)

Where topography, geological conditions, site specific conditions, or information from existing wells is unavailable, the Environmental Health Department may require additional test wells. The Environmental Health Department also may require a test well on each lot.

(B)

Test wells shall be pumped in a manner satisfactory to the Environmental Health Department and shall produce for a single-family residence a minimum of five gallons per minute if tested during the period from January 1 through June 30 or a minimum of three gallons per minute if tested during the period from July 1 through December 31. Wells to serve other uses shall produce a minimum of the design source capacity.

(C)

The requirements for test wells may be waived by the Environmental Health Department if sufficient well information has been developed for the site or the surrounding area to assure adequate potable water.

(4)

Wells as part of a Public Water System. Where a public water system for a subdivision is proposed to include new wells, results from test wells shall be submitted to the Public Works and the Environmental Health Departments. The new wells and water system shall be designed and included on the improvement plans. The improvement plans containing the public water system are required to be approved prior to approval of the Final or Parcel Map. The new wells shall be constructed and tested for quality and quantity in a manner satisfactory to the Environmental Health and Public Works Departments prior to acceptance by the maintaining agency or special district. Water quality shall meet drinking water standards of the State of California and be acceptable to the Environmental Health and Public Works Departments. If necessary to meet the water quality standards, additional treatment facilities shall be constructed and be operational prior to putting the well into service.

(b)

Areas Not Served by Public Water System. In areas not served by a public water system, any commercial or industrial development proposed on an existing lot shall require an Administrative Use Permit or, if required by the zone for a specific use, a Conditional Use Permit.

(c)

Existing Private Water Wells. Upon connection to a public water system, any existing on-site water well(s) shall be destroyed, or an approved backflow prevention device shall be installed at the service connection, in accordance with the regulations of the Environmental Health and Public Works Departments.

(d)

Extension of Water Main. When the Director of Public Works or the serving agency determines that extension of a water main through a project or along a project parcel frontage is necessary for the orderly provision of water service to an area, the developer shall extend the water main in accordance with agency design standards.

(e)

Capacity of Existing Water System. If an existing water system is required to serve the development project but does not have capacity to serve a development project, the developer shall provide for additional capacity either by constructing off-site water system facilities or contributing funds to the serving agency for system expansion. The serving agency shall determine which option is appropriate.

(f)

Development Projects Using Existing Structures. Development projects using existing structures and adding no new structures shall be served by a public water system if there is an existing water main within 200 feet of the nearest property line. Otherwise, an existing on-site water system may be used, subject to the approval of the Environmental Health Department.

Within urban communities identified in the General Plan, required public water systems shall be provided by an existing public agency or district or, where there is no public agency or district providing water in the community, by a new agency or district. For Rural Residential uses within urban communities, individual private wells may be permitted, subject to the approval of the Environmental Health Department, provided the lots are two acres or larger; no public water system exists; and groundwater is of a sufficient quantity and quality, as determined by the Environmental Health Department.

(a)

Subdivisions With Parcels Less Than Two Acres. Subdivisions with parcels less than two acres shall be served by a public water system.

(b)

Subdivisions With Parcels Two Acres or Larger. Subdivisions with parcels two acres or larger shall be served by a public water system, except for Rural Residential subdivisions if there is no public water system within 700 feet, the Rural Residential subdivision may be approved with an on-site well system, subject to the approval of the Environmental Health Department.

(c)

Development Projects on Existing Parcels. Development projects on existing parcels shall be served by a public water system. If there is no public water system within 700 feet, exceptions may be granted, subject to the general requirements of the General Plan and Development Title and the approval of the Environmental Health Department.

(Ord. No. 4683, § 25, 12-9-2025)

Unless otherwise provided in Sections 9-602.050 through 9-604.080, within rural communities water supply shall be provided as follows:

(a)

Development Projects and Subdivisions. Development projects shall be served by a public water system with the following exceptions:

(1)

Lots Two Acres or Larger. If there is no public water system within 200 feet, an on-site well system may be used subject to the provisions of Section 9-602.020.

(2)

Lots Less Than Two Acres. If the Director of Public Works determines that the existing system has no capacity, the parcel cannot be annexed to an existing water district, or an existing water main is not within 200 feet, the development project may use an on-site well subject to the provisions of Section 9-602.020.

9-602.050 - WATER SYSTEMS IN AREAS OUTSIDE OF URBAN COMMUNITIES

(a)

I-L, I-P, and I-G Industrial Zones Development within the Limited Industrial (I-L), Industrial Park (I-P), and General Industrial (I-G) zones outside of urban communities shall be served by a public water system planned to serve the entire industrial area unless the Environmental Health Department approves use of an existing on-site water system pursuant to Section 9-602.010.

(b)

Warehouse and Truck Terminal Zones. Development within the Warehouse (I-W) and Truck Terminal (I-T) zones may utilize an on-site well system.

(c)

Freeway Service Commercial Zone. Development projects within a Freeway Service Commercial (C-FS) zone shall be served by a public water system planned to serve at least each side of the freeway service area.

(d)

Commercial Recreation Zone. Development projects within a Commercial Recreation (C-R) zone outside of urban communities shall be served by a public water system.

Development projects within agricultural zones may use an on-site well system subject to the provisions of Section 9-601.020.

(a)

Existing buildings. Subdivision of parcels with existing primary buildings on each new lot shall not be required to meet the water supply requirements specified in this Chapter.

(b)

Remainder Parcels. Undeveloped, designated remainder parcels created under the provisions of this section shall meet the requirements of this Chapter prior to any grant of approval for a development project or issuance of a building permit on the remainder parcel.

For existing lots in antiquated subdivisions, service by a public water system is required for issuance of a building permit for new residences on parcels less than two acres in size. An on-site water system may be acceptable for lots two acres and larger, subject to the general requirements of Section 9-602.020.

Chapter 9-603 - Water Quality Regulations