Lucerne Valley has great water, if you’re in the right place. In the owner’s experience, the best water in the region sits west of the 4-way stop (Highway 18 at Highway 247) and south of Highway 18. Drilling there is faster and cheaper: wells close to the highway average about 200 feet, running to around 300 feet at most.
The North Valley is a different story. Wells out toward Lucerne Dry Lake run 400 to 500 feet deep, generally produce poorly, and often carry high sulfur and salt, sometimes enough to make the water undrinkable. Land out there looks cheap. The drilling bill usually explains why.
Most of our Lucerne Valley calls are the everyday kind: a pump that trips its reset, a waterlogged pressure tank, a hole in an old galvanized drop pipe, and well certifications for homes changing hands. Because we’re local, we’re usually the shortest drive away.
Water rules here
Lucerne Valley lies inside the adjudicated Mojave Basin Area, where the Mojave Water Agency serves as Watermaster. A typical household well is a Minimal Producer (10 acre-feet a year or less), but new wells still need a County well permit, and larger pumpers have production rights and reporting duties.
What we do in Lucerne Valley
Lucerne Valley questions
Asked and answered.
How deep are wells in Lucerne Valley?
It depends heavily on where you are. South of Highway 18 and west of the 4-way stop, wells close to the highway average about 200 feet and rarely go past 300. In the North Valley toward the dry lake, wells run 400 to 500 feet and often produce poorly.
Is Lucerne Valley well water salty?
Some of it is. Wells near the dry lake and in the North Valley are known for high salt and sulfur. Water south of Highway 18 is generally much better. A water test before you buy land or a home is the only way to know for a given well.
Do I need a permit to drill a well in Lucerne Valley?
Yes. San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services requires a permit to construct, deepen or destroy any well, signed by the property owner and a County-registered C-57 well driller. The County inspects the site before the permit is issued.