El Dorado Water Agency Creates Resources to Prepare for Drought by El Dorado Water Agency Oct 19, 2026 Member Submitted News EL DORADO HILLS – As part of El Dorado Water Agency’s effort to improve drought resilience in the County, we are excited to announce that we have developed a new suite of resources to help small water systems and domestic well owners prepare for water shortages. The resources include practical information on drought conditions, groundwater well maintenance, groundwater quality monitoring, and technical and financial assistance programs. “Understanding your water supply and knowing what resources are available can make a meaningful difference in preparing for water shortages,” said Rebecca Guo, General Manager of El Dorado Water Agency. “We developed these resources to help domestic well owners and small water systems take proactive steps to make sure they have access to clean, reliable water supplies and know where to turn for assistance when needed.” El Dorado County is no stranger to drought and water shortages, especially on the West Slope. While larger water purveyors in the county have had sufficient water supplies to weather past droughts, smaller water systems and domestic well owners often lack reliable and/or redundant supplies. According to our 2025 County Drought & Water Shortage Resilience Plan, 71% of small water systems within El Dorado County rely on a single water source – typically a groundwater well. As a result, many have experienced water shortages over the last decade during dry years when groundwater levels declined and wells and springs ran dry. This trend is only expected to continue, as we’ve seen in recent years where our weather has whiplashed from droughts to very wet periods, exacerbating the risk of water shortages within the county. The resources available on EDWA’s website include: Groundwater Basics: An introduction to groundwater, how groundwater wells work, and ways to protect them. Recommended Actions for Well Owners: Step-by-step checklist of actions domestic well owners can take to help maintain their well and minimize contamination threats. Groundwater Quality Monitoring Guidance: Information about common contaminants impacting groundwater wells in El Dorado County and how to test water quality. Drought in El Dorado County: An overview of drought and water shortages, local impacts, and ways to establish a backup source of water supply. Technical and Financial Assistance: Resources to help small water systems and domestic well owners with engineering needs and well and water quality assessments as well as information about loan and grant programs. To access the full collection of drought and water shortage-related resources, visit El Dorado Water Agency. About the El Dorado Water Agency For 67 years, El Dorado Water Agency has provided countywide water resource planning and management dedicated to ensuring that El Dorado County has adequate and affordable water to maintain economic prosperity, protect the environment, and support the rural-agriculture way of life for today and in the future. Media Contact: Lisa Yarbrough lyarbrough@ka-pow.com, 415-533-8381
