Groundwater Management and Ag Well Moratorium
Summary
The Board approved a groundwater work plan covering well separation rules, meter-ready requirements, drought resiliency and more through the August 2027 moratorium. They also mandated an independent peer review of every hydrogeologist report to guard against developer-friendly findings.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 9
- Last 30 days
- 2
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 20, 2026.
Impact analysis
Applicants pay an estimated $500-$1,000 per peer review; no general fund impact.
Rural residents and small farmers whose domestic wells could be drawn down by nearby large ag wells.
Ag well applicants face extra cost and delay; large pumpers may face future limits.
Mentions & discussions (9)
Board of Supervisors — October 20, 2026
The Board approved a groundwater work plan covering well separation rules, meter-ready requirements, drought resiliency and more through the August 2027 moratorium. They also mandated an independent peer review of every hydrogeologist report to guard against developer-friendly findings.
Board of Supervisors — October 6, 2026
A $1.64 million budget amendment pays water connection fees to consolidate North Davis Meadows' water system — no hit to the general fund.
Board of Supervisors Meeting — August 25, 2026
The Board extended for one final year the ban on new ag wells in the YSGA Focus Areas and adopted a meter-ready design requirement for future wells. Farmers and residents packed the hearing — most supported the extension to protect dropping groundwater, while some growers argued it harms property values without scientific basis. Staff will return in about a month with a work plan for the extension year.
Board of Supervisors — July 21, 2026
The moratorium on new ag wells in groundwater-stressed focus areas expires August 25. Farmers mostly want it lifted; residents with drying wells and groundwater advocates want it extended or narrowed. The Board put off the decision to August 25 and asked for more legal and technical analysis.
Board of Supervisors — July 7, 2026
Residents urged the Board to extend the county's well drilling moratorium, citing a 6,800 acre-foot annual groundwater deficit in the Hungry Hollow area. A decision is expected at an upcoming meeting.
Board of Supervisors — June 23, 2026
Speakers urged the county to keep the well-drilling moratorium in western Yolo County's focus areas, warning that unregulated orchard development and 1,600-foot wells threaten household wells and the aquifer.
Board of Supervisors Budget Hearing — June 9, 2026
A resident urged the board to keep the well-permit moratorium and clarify the Yolo Subsidence Group Agency's responsibilities, citing a 6,000 acre-foot groundwater deficit threatening the county's food shed.
Board of Supervisors — April 28, 2026
The county's temporary ban on new ag wells in YSGA focus areas stays in place through August 25, and staff will draft a well metering requirement and a vetted hydrogeologist list. Whether to extend the moratorium comes back July 21. Farmers and domestic well users in stressed areas are watching closely.
Board of Supervisors — February 10, 2026
The county's temporary ban on new ag well permits in groundwater-stressed focus areas continues, with a 60-day staff update received on consent. A resident urged the Board to extend the moratorium because groundwater sustainability data won't be ready for years.
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