State outlines plans to help turn water back on in East Porterville

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KFSN) -- State officials announced today that construction of a new water distribution system to the community of East Porterville will begin this summer, and should be completed by year's end.

Eventually, they plan to connect 1,800 homes to the city of Porterville's water supply.

Angiee Candelario recently moved from Washington state to East Porterville-an unincorporated area of Tulare County that has been called ground zero for California's drought.

Hundreds of wells have gone dry, and residents have had to rely on tanks and bottled water to survive.

When asked if she missed Washington, Candelario told Action News, "Yeah a little, over there they didn't have this problem, everything it seems so perfect over there."

Candelario says she's scared her well might go dry-it's on the verge.

So for the first time, she stopped by the drought resource center, where East Porterville residents can ask questions about assistance, get bottled water, or take a shower.

"I've been hearing a lot of stuff that's going on, so I want to be 100 percent sure, since I'm not from here," Candelario said.

During a call with reporters on Wednesday, state officials outlined their future plans to help East Porterville residents turn the water back on.

Construction of a new water distribution system will begin this summer.

To start, approximately 40 homes will hook-up to the city of Porterville's water supply.

By the end of 2017, officials hope 1,800 East Porterville parcels will benefit from the multi-million dollar project.

The cost will be free to homeowners, as long as they sign up when they're supposed to.

"Over the last several weeks, we've been working very closely with residents and there's a great deal of interest in connecting with the city's water supply system," said Marina Perez with the State Water Resources Control Board. "Of the 40 initial folks that we were interested in connecting, we've already received 20 signed extraterritorial service agreements."

The thought of connecting to a steady, clean water supply has Candelario excited.

"I mean for me that's perfect, it's going to help a lot of people on the east side," she said.

Tomorrow night there will be a community meeting on this topic.

It will take place at the Granite Hills High School cafeteria in Porterville, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Spanish language interpreters will be on hand.