Drought and Your Well: Protecting Your Water Supply in Southern California

🏜️ California drought isn't just a news headline—it's a direct threat to your water supply. When the rain stops falling and reservoirs shrink, what's happening underground matters even more for well owners. Across San Diego, Riverside, and Orange counties, thousands of wells are feeling the pressure as aquifers drop lower each year. The good news? With early action and smart strategies, you can protect your well and maintain reliable water even through multi-year droughts. This guide shows you exactly how.

How Drought Affects Your Well Water

Your private well draws water from underground aquifers—natural reservoirs of groundwater stored in rock and sediment. During normal conditions, rainfall and snowmelt percolate down through the soil to recharge these aquifers, maintaining a relatively stable water table. During drought conditions, this recharge process slows dramatically or stops entirely while pumping continues, causing water levels to drop.

The impact of a California drought on your well depends on several factors:

Well Depth and Water Table Relationship

Your well's vulnerability during drought is directly related to how deep it extends below the static water level. A well drilled to 400 feet with a static water level at 200 feet has a 200-foot "cushion" before problems occur. Shallow wells with less cushion are at higher risk when drought conditions persist.

Local Geology Matters

Not all aquifers respond to drought equally. In Southern California, we see distinct patterns:

• Alluvial valleys (Temecula, Fallbrook): Groundwater stored in sand and gravel deposits can decline quickly but also recovers faster with rainfall
• Fractured rock aquifers (Julian, Alpine): Water stored in rock fractures is more limited and slower to recharge—these wells are often more vulnerable during extended drought
• Deep confined aquifers: These may be more insulated from short-term drought but can take years to recover once depleted

Understanding your area's geology helps predict how your well might respond to ongoing drought conditions. Learn more about typical well depths by San Diego location and how geology affects well performance. For statewide groundwater conditions and drought resources, visit California Groundwater.

Warning Signs Your Well Is Running Dry

Don't wait until you turn on the tap and nothing comes out. Recognizing early warning signs of a well running dry during drought gives you time to respond before you're facing an emergency. Watch for these indicators:

1. Sputtering or Air in Water Lines

If your faucets sputter, spit air, or produce an uneven stream, your pump may be drawing air along with water. This happens when the water level drops near or below the pump intake. This is often the first and most obvious sign of drought well water problems.

2. Muddy, Sandy, or Discolored Water

When water levels drop, your pump may begin pulling sediment from the bottom of the well or disturbing material that's settled there. Sudden changes in water clarity during drought are a serious warning sign that requires immediate attention.

3. Decreased Water Pressure

A gradual decline in water pressure can indicate dropping water levels. As the water column above your pump decreases, the pump works harder to maintain pressure. If you notice showers aren't as strong or irrigation systems aren't covering as far, investigate immediately.

4. Pump Running Longer or Continuously

Listen to your pump cycles. If the pump is running longer than usual to fill your pressure tank, or if it seems to run almost continuously, the well may be struggling to produce enough water. This puts stress on your equipment and increases the risk of pump failure.

5. Higher Electricity Bills

An overworked pump consumes more electricity. If your electric bill increases without explanation during drought conditions, your well pump may be working overtime to maintain water supply.

6. Neighbors Reporting Well Problems

Groundwater doesn't respect property lines. If neighbors on similar wells are experiencing problems, your well may be affected too—even if you haven't noticed symptoms yet. Stay connected with your community during drought conditions.

Water Conservation Tips to Protect Your Well During Drought

One of the most effective ways to protect your well during drought is reducing demand. Conservation extends your water supply, reduces stress on your well system, and gives you more time to implement long-term solutions if needed.

Indoor Conservation Strategies

• Fix leaks immediately: A dripping faucet wastes 5+ gallons per day; a running toilet can waste 200+ gallons daily
• Install low-flow fixtures: Modern showerheads and faucet aerators can reduce water use by 30-50%
• Run full loads only: Dishwashers and washing machines should only run when full
• Shorter showers: Reducing shower time by 2 minutes saves 5+ gallons per shower
• Turn off water while brushing/shaving: Simple habit that saves 2-4 gallons per use

Outdoor Conservation Strategies

Outdoor use—especially irrigation—typically accounts for 50-70% of residential well water consumption. This is where the biggest savings can be achieved:

• Reduce lawn irrigation: Let non-essential turf go dormant or replace with drought-tolerant landscaping
• Water early morning: Watering between 4-8 AM minimizes evaporation loss
• Use drip irrigation: Drip systems use 30-50% less water than sprinklers
• Apply mulch: 3-4 inches of mulch around plants reduces water needs by 25%
• Prioritize plants: Focus water on trees and established shrubs; let annuals go
• Harvest rainwater: When it does rain, capture it for landscape use

Spread Out Water Use

Even if your total water use stays the same, spreading it throughout the day helps your well recover. Avoid running multiple water-intensive tasks simultaneously. This gives your well time to recharge between uses and prevents the pump from running continuously.

Should You Deepen Your Well or Drill a New One?

If your well is showing signs of drought stress despite conservation efforts, you may need to take more significant action. The two main options are deepening your existing well or drilling a new one. Here's how to decide:

When Well Deepening Makes Sense

Deepening an existing well is typically the more economical choice when conditions allow. Consider deepening if:

• Your well casing is in good structural condition
• The well diameter is large enough for drilling equipment (typically 6" or larger)
• Geological data suggests adequate water at greater depths
• Access to your existing well is good
• The water table has dropped but the aquifer is still productive

When a New Well Is the Better Choice

Sometimes drilling a completely new well is the smarter long-term investment:

• Your existing well has structural problems or is too narrow to deepen
• The current well location isn't optimal (better aquifers exist elsewhere on property)
• Deepening would require going through impenetrable rock layers
• Your old well has water quality issues that won't improve with deepening
• A hydrogeological survey indicates better water potential in a different location

New well drilling in drought conditions often means drilling deeper than would have been necessary years ago. Check our guide on well drilling costs in San Diego for current pricing information.

Professional Assessment Is Essential

The right choice depends on your specific situation. Our team can evaluate your existing well, review local geological data, and provide an honest recommendation based on long-term value—not just the quickest fix. Visit our well drilling services page to learn more about our capabilities.

SCWS Drought Services for Well Owners

At Southern California Well Service, we understand the urgency drought creates for well owners. We offer comprehensive services specifically designed to help you navigate drought conditions:

Emergency Well Assessment

If your well is showing signs of trouble, our technicians can quickly assess the situation. We measure your current water level, evaluate pump performance, test water quality, and provide immediate recommendations. Fast response times—because drought emergencies can't wait.

Water Level Monitoring

Knowledge is power during drought. We offer water level monitoring services that track your well's performance over time, giving you early warning of declining levels so you can act before problems become emergencies.

Well Deepening

When your well needs to go deeper, we have the equipment and expertise to extend your existing well efficiently. Our experienced crews work quickly to minimize your time without water.

New Well Drilling

When a new well is the right solution, we handle everything from permit acquisition to final pump installation. We use modern hydrogeological techniques to maximize your chances of finding reliable water even in challenging drought conditions.

Pump System Optimization

Sometimes adjusting your existing system can buy valuable time. We can lower your pump, adjust settings for current water levels, or install more efficient equipment to help you get the most from your available water. Learn more about our well pump services.

Long-Term Planning for California's Drought Future

Climate scientists agree: drought will continue to be a recurring challenge in Southern California. Smart well owners are planning ahead:

• Annual well inspections: Catch problems early before they become emergencies
• Water storage: Consider adding storage tanks to buffer against temporary shortages
• Backup water plans: Know your options if your well fails (water delivery, neighbor connections, etc.)
• Landscape conversion: Permanent drought-tolerant landscaping reduces long-term water demand
• Proactive deepening: Some owners deepen during good years when scheduling and pricing are more favorable

Compare the benefits of well ownership with municipal water in our guide on well water vs city water in California.

Frequently Asked Questions