Willits, California to receive drought funds

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has approved $250,000 in funding for the town of Willits in Mendocino County to overcome drought conditions that have persisted since the summer.

CAL FIRE, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the CDPH are assisting the northern California town with funds to install an emergency water pipe.

The pipe will transport well water to connect with the city’s existing distribution system. Funds will also be used for a new well pump, fencing, disinfection of the well and well replacement.

The assistance will enable the people of Willits to secure a minimal supply of clean water to maintain emergency water supplies. The town has received only 5in of rain since July 2013.

CDPH director and state health officer Ron Chapman said: "Our drinking water programme is offering technical assistance to drinking water systems and is exploring possible solutions for those most vulnerable."

Since January, CAL FIRE and the CDCR have been assisting the town’s water department to install several miles of piping to tie two wells to a proposed emergency water treatment facility. The organisations have supplied the city with a large emergency workforce. Several inmate hand crews are comprised of a fire captain and around 15 low-level inmates from CDCR.

CAL FIRE Mendocino Unit Chief Chris Rowney said: "When our inmate firefighting hand crews are not assigned to wildfires, we have them working on brush clearance or other community service projects, so we are glad we can assist the city of Willits in its time of need."