Each year, the Alameda County Public Works Agency issues hundreds of permits for the construction and destruction of wells and exploratory holes throughout its jurisdiction. Its jurisdiction includes the unincorporated areas of western Alameda County (Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, etc.), as well as the cities of Alameda, Albany, Emeryville, Oakland, Piedmont, San Leandro, and Hayward. Some locations within and along the southern boundary of Hayward are under the jurisdiction of the Alameda County Water District (ACWD).

Per the ordinance, those performing well or exploratory hole work that may intersect groundwater in any of the Agency's jurisdictional areas must obtain a permit. A permit can be obtained online at: https://acgov.org/business/wellpermits.htm

When assigned, Alaco either inspects the work or performs an administrative field review of the project site. An inspection may be required for work that interfaces with a high quality aquifer. An administrative field review is usually ordered for activities that represent a lesser threat to groundwater, such as shallow exploratory holes. 

If the Agency has issued you a permit that states an inspection or a field review is to be conducted by Alaco Engineering, please coordinate your work with Cameron Lai at 408-837-1542 or wells@alaco.us.

Administrative Field Reviews

For an administrative field review, Alaco may send a technician to the work site to verify the information provided on the permit application and to document whether or not basic permit conditions have been met. The recorded information may be used by ACPWA to confirm data subsequently submitted in the required geotechnical log or well completion report.

The technician only documents objective observations and does not evaluate the quality or acceptability of construction. However, as standard checklist responses and photographic images recorded at the site may be transmitted to the Agency in real time, Agency staff may order a stop work notice if they determine that a violation of the well ordinance or permit conditions has occurred.

Not adhering to permit conditions may result in a fine and a suspension of future work.