Frequently Asked Questions

Nitrate is a chemical found in water that has no color, taste or smell. High levels can increase health risks. The only way to know if your well water is safe to drink is to test it.

For more information on nitrate, please see the Nitrate Fact Sheet.

The CV-SALTS Nitrate Control Program was established to help deal with the problem of high nitrate levels in groundwater. Although the program is aimed at reducing levels of nitrate in groundwater in the Central Valley over the long term, it prioritizes, first and foremost, providing clean and safe drinking water to residents relying on wells where nitrate exceeds the drinking water standard (10 mg/L).

For more information on the Nitrate Control Program, please see https://www.cvsalinity.org//nitrate-program/

Kern County’s agriculture, dairy, oil & gas, wastewater treatment facilities/publicly owned treatment works, food processors and other industries form the funding nexus that supports Kern Water Collaborative’s testing services, replacement water, and the development of plans and reports as required under the Nitrate Control Program. To learn more about KWC’s partnerships with local agencies and stakeholders, please visit our website.

Residents in Kern County’s Poso and Kern County Westside South Groundwater Subbasins and a portion of Tulare Lake’s groundwater basin are invited to access KWC’s free well testing services at no cost to the applicant. At this time, the general coverage area is north of the Kern River, outside of public water system service areas, in communities such as Buttonwillow, Wasco, Lost Hills, Delano, McFarland, Shafter, Rosedale, and more.

Those who complete and submit the Household Qualification Survey and are determined to have a qualifying household must complete the Well Test Access Agreement for the well test to be completed. Applicants whose domestic well is found to have nitrate levels above the drinking water standard will be contacted for free bottled water delivery at no cost to the applicant.

Take the first step by completing the Household Qualification Survey. You will receive a confirmation email and a Well Test Access Agreement if the household qualifies.

Next, complete the Well Test Access Agreement that is provided by email and DocuSeal.  Once KWC receives the completed Well Test Access Agreement, a well testing company will be scheduled to conduct the well test. If the well has levels of nitrate above the drinking water standard, you will need to complete the Bottled Water Agreement for KWC to schedule free delivery of safe
and clean drinking water.

Contact Nicole Bell, Executive Director of Kern Water Collaborative, to request an accessible format to complete the Household Qualification Survey. You may contact Nicole via email (nicole@kwcmz.org) or call at (661)-888-4108.

Kern Water Collaborative is providing domestic well testing to those dependent on private domestic wells for their drinking/cooking water. If you’d like to learn more about the quality of your public water system, you can contact your municipal water provider for information and testing data related to your local water system.

Look to resources such as Private Drinking Water Wells | US EPA.

According to AB 2454, well testing now requires only acknowledgment, not permission, from landowners. You may contact the California Rural Legal Assistance – Delano Office at (661) 725 4350 or the Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance office at (661) 325-5943 with questions regarding the most current tenant-landlord rights.