This article is in a series of “Election Reality Check” pieces about the election for Las Virgenes Municipal Water District. The statements chosen are based on comments the candidates have made to Westlake Revelations about the other candidate, as well as reader questions.
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Polan says we should use well water as part of conservation efforts.
Reality Check: Possible, but very minimal in reality.

In a recent Westlake Revelations interview, Candidate Len Polan said “Conservation can take the form of using well water where feasible.”

There are some properties that have some well water, that can be used in relatively small amounts, but it’s not a widespread solution.

There are some properties that have some well water, that can be used in relatively small amounts, but it’s not a widespread solution. For example, someone may be able to use an artesian well (a well in which pressurized water naturally rises to the surface) on their property for some water, such as irrigation. Other well sources are more significant, but are too alkaline and corrosive to use as a potable source, and would require plastic pumps.

There are some, but not many, licensed wells in the District (they are licensed by the LA County Health Department). Unlicensed wells are reported throughout the Old Agoura, Paramount Ranch, Medea Valley area, but comparatively limited in overall water use. Typically, these types of wells are used for irrigation use and were put in place prior to the County licensing them.

In addition, the District has noticed some wells are quickly depleted during low rainfall periods. For example, the District is starting to see this again with the drier weather the last couple of years.

Lack of well water is actually why the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District was formed in the first place. The local groundwater is very limited and very poor water quality. And, there are no true groundwater basins like in the Oxnard Plain. LVMWD’s area is made up of volcanics with a lot of fractured rock which does not hold water very well.