Orchards flooded in Madera County in January, 2023 after storms. Rain flushes nitrates from nitrogen fertilizer into groundwater, contaminating drinking water wells.Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local
In summary
Nitrate contamination of well water has been a decades-long problem in the San Joaquin and Salinas valleys — and now stormwater has flushed more fertilizer and manure into aquifers.

A new pilot program aims to supply homeowners with wells contaminated by nitrates with clean and sustainable water.

KEYES, Calif. — When Martha Lorenzo was told she could get clean drinking water simply by installing some panels and extracting moisture from the air, she was in disbelief.

"I could hardly believe it because I had never heard of such a thing. It was like, what are you going to do? How does it work?" said Lorenzo, whose home sits in an agricultural area near Keyes.

Provide input on possible long-term solutions for those with nitrate contaminated well water. Sign up to get your free well test.

Provide input on possible long-term solutions for those with nitrate contaminated well water. Sign up to get your free well test.