Madera council approves management agreement for domestic well mitigation program, capping typical reimbursements at $35,000
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Summary
The City Council approved a management agreement among local GSAs to operate a Domestic Well Mitigation Program that uses a four‑phase application process, a $100 application fee, and typical reimbursements up to $35,000 paid directly to preapproved drillers; staff and council discussed connecting properties near city water mains instead of drilling new wells.
The Madera City Council unanimously approved an agreement to manage a Domestic Well Mitigation Program (DWMP) in partnership with the Madera Irrigation District and Madera Water District. The program, presented by the director of engineering, is designed to help property owners whose domestic wells have gone dry and to coordinate a prequalified list of well drillers and an administrator to process claims.
Under the four‑phase program staff described, homeowners begin by submitting an application and $100 fee. The DWMP administrator will review and verify well conditions, the landowner signs a one‑time program agreement, a preapproved driller performs work, construction must begin within 180 days, and the driller submits completion documents for administrator review. Staff said the program has generally been approving amounts up to $35,000; reimbursements will be made directly to the preapproved well driller rather than to property owners.
Council raised questions about properties located near existing city water mains. Director of engineering (Keith) said the program can, in practice, support extending city water when the extension cost is comparable to drilling a new well and that staff hopes to apply funds to connect properties to the city system rather than creating new peripheral wells when feasible. He said specific language to require that treatment may not yet be written into program documents, but it is a reasonable interpretation staff could formalize.
Councilmember Rodriguez asked whether the county’s timing and readiness could affect connectivity; staff replied the county appears behind the city in program implementation and that interagency coordination may be necessary to allow hookups. Councilmember Mejia confirmed the reimbursement cap and asked how leftover funds are handled; staff said applicants receive only their actual eligible costs and any underspent amounts remain in the program fund.
The council approved the management services agreement by voice vote with no recorded dissent. Staff said the program has an advertised RFQ for prequalified drillers and that initial funding contributions include amounts from MID, Madera Water District and the city, with year‑to‑year allocations to be revisited by the GSAs.