Merced County supervisors approve emergency water distribution program

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Residents in Merced County can now apply for temporary help if their wells run dry. Merced County supervisors recently approved an emergency water distribution program, which takes effect this month.

The program will allow families to receive deliveries of up to 50 gallons of non-potable water a day per person for health and sanitation purposes. They would also get one gallon of bottled water each day per person for drinking and cooking. The non-potable water would be delivered and pumped into a temporary water tank located on the resident's property.

"We've had a lot of people calling in with well issues, dry wells, so we want to do everything we can in our power to help folks out and get them a temporary water supply until they can get that new well put in," said Mike North, spokesperson for Merced County.

The county will oversee the program, but a nonprofit will operate it. To fill out an application, click here.