Debacle in the hills: How Fresno County officials ignored water warnings and why taxpayers are paying the price
A high-end housing development in the foothills above Fresno that was approved despite unreliable groundwater supplies is now getting a $4.2 million taxpayer bailout to bring in surface water that may, or may not, materialize. The gated Mira Bella community, with its $800,000 Mediterranean-style homes near the shimmering waters of Millerton Lake, lives up to its name – it looks beautiful. Its beauty faded quickly for homeowners, however, after they learned they were responsible for fixing failing wells and a dilapidated distribution system. The situation went from bad to worse as it became clear drilling deeper, or new wells, into the rocky formation beneath Mira Bella wasn’t an option. Then drought hit and one of the community’s wells collapsed.