Public slow to respond to new drinking water program for rural San Joaquin Valley residents

The state is finally beginning to address a decades-long problem of dangerous drinking water in parts of the San Joaquin Valley under a new “management zone” program but hardly anyone is paying attention.

Even the prospect of free water testing and free water hasn’t garnered much enthusiasm.

Regardless of the lackluster response, program managers will offer free nitrate testing for domestic well owners starting May 7. If the water has nitrate above the safe level, those residents can also get free bottled water.