To obtain service a homeowner must complete and sign the “Agreement to Take Water” form at the District’s main office.  Staff reviews District records to ensure that the applicant is either new to the program or an existing customer in good standing.  Existing customers whose account(s) have been referred to collections are not allowed to re-apply for service.  Additionally, only property owners are eligible for the service, tenants must have the owner obtain the service.

Staff confirms property eligibility by accessing the County’s Parcel Quest system, which in addition to parcel information, includes the owners name, address, source of water (well or public), and if the land has been improved with a structure (possible home).  If no structure is listed in Parcel Quest prospective customers are requested to provide more information regarding their water needs.

Prior to activation customers must pay an application fee and a deposit fee, as well as sign the key agreement.  District staff will provide and review the current Domestic Well Assistance Program Policy, including but not limited to the following program rules and limitations:

• The Domestic Well Assistance Program is a benefit to the community and unauthorized use of water can result in termination of the customer’s access to the program.
• The program is for personal use only (NO irrigation, landscaping or resale allowed).
• Any entity or person connecting to or obtaining water from a fill station without authorization falls under the Tampering and Unlawful Acts regulation. Said person will be billed (a) a water loss fee of one hundred ($200) dollars, in additional to violating Business and Professions Code and be charged up to $2500 per day.
• The District is not responsible for any loss or damage caused by any negligence or wrongful act of a customer or his/her authorized/unauthorized tenant in operating or using any or all facilities, appliances or equipment for which water is supplied.
• Customers cannot duplicate keys, loan keys out or leave the access unlocked.
• Providing access to District water to any unauthorized user by means of water delivery, sharing of access key, or duplication of access key is prohibited and is a misdemeanor.
• Use of a Third-Party Water Hauler must be documented and reported
• Proof of an approved application is required to be show if asked

Once a customer verbally acknowledges that they understand the terms of the agreement and have signed both documents they are issued a key and are able to participate in the program.

Domestic Well Assistance Program customers are billed quarterly at the rate identified on the District’s current General fee Schedule.  A customer who is at least 60 days behind in payments are contacted by staff in an attempt to bring them current.  If these efforts fail the District refers the account to collections (see below for Disconnection of Service).

If a Domestic Well Assistance Program customer loses his/her key, they must complete and sign the “Lost Key” form at the District’s main office.  Staff reviews District records to ensure that the applicant is an existing customer in good standing.  Existing customers whose account(s) have been referred to collections are not allowed to request a replacement key unless their account is brought current.  A lost key charge must be paid prior to the issuance of a replacement key at the rate set forth on the District’s current General Fee Schedule.

If a Domestic Well Assistance Program customer is at least 60 days behind in payments, and attempts by staff to bring the account current fail, the account will be closed and access revoked.  After applying the customer’s deposit to the unpaid balance, the remaining amount owed will be referred to collections.  If a credit exists after all fees have been paid, the District will issue the customer a refund check for the credit amount.

For those customers that voluntarily disconnect their services and turn in their access key will be issued a refund of their deposit fee, less any outstanding monthly service fees due.