California Code
Water Code - WAT
DIVISION 1 - GENERAL STATE POWERS OVER WATER

CHAPTER 1 - General State Policy

Section 100. - 100. It is hereby declared that because of the conditions...

Section 100.5. - 100.5. It is hereby declared to be the established policy...

Section 101. - 101. Riparian rights in a stream or watercourse attach to,...

Section 102. - 102. All water within the State is the property of...

Section 103. - 103. In the enactment of this code the Legislature does...

Section 104. - 104. It is hereby declared that the people of the...

Section 105. - 105. It is hereby declared that the protection of the...

Section 106. - 106. It is hereby declared to be the established policy...

Section 106.3. - 106.3. (a) It is hereby declared to be the established...

Section 106.4. - 106.4. (a) For the purposes of this section: (1) “Bottled...

Section 106.5. - 106.5. It is hereby declared to be the established policy...

Section 106.7. - 106.7. (a) It is hereby declared to be the established...

Section 107. - 107. The declaration of the policy of the State in...

Section 108. - 108. It is hereby declared to be the established policy...

Section 108.5. - 108.5. (a) It is hereby declared to be the established...

Section 109. - 109. (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the...

Section 112. - 112. (a) The efficiency of a reverse osmosis water treatment...

Section 113. - 113. It is the policy of the state that groundwater...

CHAPTER 2 - State Administration Generally

ARTICLE 1 - Department of Water Resources

Section 120. - 120. There is in the Resources Agency the Department of...

Section 122. - 122. The director, in addition to being subject to removal...

Section 123. - 123. Except as provided in Section 179, the department succeeds...

Section 124. - 124. Except to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of...

Section 125. - 125. For the purpose of administration, the director shall organize...

Section 126. - 126. There shall be one Deputy Director of Water Resources...

Section 127. - 127. The department may employ legal counsel who shall advise...

Section 127.5. - 127.5. The department may utilize the program manager class series...

Section 128. - 128. (a) In times of extraordinary stress and of disaster,...

Section 130. - 130. The department may prepare, publish, and issue such printed...

Section 131. - 131. The department may employ such assistance as may be...

Section 132. - 132. Where work to be performed, which would otherwise be...

Section 133. - 133. The department may cooperate and contract with any agency...

Section 134. - 134. The department may expend money appropriated for the administration...

Section 134.5. - 134.5. The Director of Finance shall administratively establish positions necessary...

Section 135. - 135. The Water Resources Revolving Fund in the State Treasury...

Section 135.1. - 135.1. All sums in the Water Resources Revolving Fund in...

Section 136. - 136. The Department of Water Resources shall file against the...

Section 137. - 137. The Department of Water Resources shall keep a record...

Section 138. - 138. The director may authorize the refund of moneys received...

Section 138.10. - 138.10. (a) On or before January 1, 2006, the director,...

Section 138.12. - 138.12. (a) Except as otherwise provided in a general obligation...

Section 139.2. - 139.2. The department shall evaluate the potential impacts on water...

Section 139.4. - 139.4. (a) The department and the Department of Fish and...

Section 140. - 140. (a) Upon appropriation by the Legislature, which shall not...

Section 141. - 141. (a) The department may establish a program to authorize...

Section 141.5. - 141.5. The department shall proceed with the construction of the...

Section 142. - 142. (a) In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated...

Section 144. - 144. (a) Upon an appropriation of funds by the Legislature...

Section 147. - 147. (a) On or before January 10, 2010, and annually...

Section 147.1. - 147.1. (a) By August 1 of each year, the department...

Section 147.3. - 147.3. (a) (1) The department shall conduct a voluntary statewide...

Section 147.5. - 147.5. At least 60 days prior to the final approval...

Section 148. - 148. (a) The department shall perform construction inspection services for...

ARTICLE 2 - California Water Commission

Section 150. - 150. There is in the Department of Water Resources the...

Section 151. - 151. The California Water Commission consists of nine members who...

Section 152. - 152. Seven members of the California Water Commission appointed by...

Section 153. - 153. (a) The terms of the members of the California...

Section 153.5. - 153.5. (a) Notwithstanding Sections 153 and 154, the term of...

Section 154. - 154. Appointments shall be for terms of four years. Vacancies...

Section 155. - 155. The appointments made by the Governor to membership on...

Section 156. - 156. The members of the California Water Commission may be...

Section 157. - 157. Each member of the California Water Commission shall receive...

Section 158. - 158. The California Water Commission shall maintain its headquarters at...

Section 159. - 159. Special meetings may be called at any time by...

Section 160. - 160. The members of the California Water Commission shall select...

Section 161. - 161. The California Water Commission shall confer with, advise, and...

Section 161.5. - 161.5. The California Water Commission shall have the power to...

Section 162. - 162. It is the intention of the Legislature that in...

Section 163. - 163. The commission may employ an executive officer, exempt from...

Section 163.5. - 163.5. The department shall furnish to the California Water Commission,...

Section 164. - 164. The commission may hold any hearings and conduct any...

Section 165. - 165. The California Water Commission shall conduct an annual review...

Section 166. - 166. The California Water Commission shall hold public hearings on...

ARTICLE 3 - State Water Resources Control Board

Section 174. - 174. (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that in...

Section 175. - 175. (a) There is in the California Environmental Protection Agency...

Section 175.5. - 175.5. (a) A member of the board shall not participate...

Section 176. - 176. The annual salary of the members of the board...

Section 177. - 177. All members of the board shall be appointed for...

Section 178. - 178. The members of the board may be removed from...

Section 179. - 179. The board succeeds to and is vested with all...

Section 179.6. - 179.6. The board, or representatives authorized by the board to...

Section 179.7. - 179.7. As to any matter involving the United States, its...

Section 181. - 181. The board shall maintain its headquarters at Sacramento and...

Section 182. - 182. The Governor shall designate the chairperson of the board...

Section 183. - 183. The board may hold any hearings and conduct any...

Section 184. - 184. The Department of Water Resources shall have an interest...

Section 185. - 185. The board shall adopt rules for the conduct of...

Section 186. - 186. (a) The board shall have any powers, and may...

Section 187. - 187. The board, regional water quality control boards, the Department...

Section 188. - 188. The board may expend money appropriated for the administration...

Section 188.5. - 188.5. The board shall publish biennial progress reports relating to...

Section 189. - 189. (a) There is hereby established the Office of Sustainable...

Section 189.3. - 189.3. (a) The board, in consultation with the regional water...

Section 189.5. - 189.5. (a) This section shall be known, and may be...

Section 189.7. - 189.7. (a) Outreach to identify issues of environmental justice needs...

ARTICLE 4 - State Representation on Regional Water Resources Commissions

Section 190. - 190. Whenever the State of California is specifically invited by...

CHAPTER 2.5 - Miscellaneous Powers of Department

ARTICLE 1 - Participation in Associations

Section 205. - 205. The department may join associations of representatives of other...

ARTICLE 2 - Surveys, Investigations, and Distribution of Water

Section 225. - 225. The department may carry on topographic surveys and investigations...

Section 226. - 226. The department, either independently or in co-operation with any...

Section 227. - 227. The department may investigate any natural situation available for...

Section 228. - 228. The department shall gather and correlate information and data...

Section 229. - 229. The department, either independently or in cooperation with any...

Section 230. - 230. The department, either independently or in cooperation with any...

Section 231. - 231. The department, either independently or in cooperation with any...

Section 233. - 233. No plans or proposal for authorization of a project...

Section 234. - 234. The department, either independently or in co-operation with or...

Section 235. - 235. The department, either independently or in co-operation with any...

Section 236. - 236. The department, either independently or in cooperation with any...

Section 238. - 238. (a) The department shall conduct studies of the Sacramento...

ARTICLE 2.5 - Acquisition and Disposal of Property

Section 250. - 250. In the name of the people of the State...

Section 252. - 252. Subject to Sections 1240.670 and 1240.680 of the Code...

Section 253. - 253. The department may acquire, either in fee or in...

Section 257. - 257. The director may execute all deeds or conveyances necessary...

Section 258. - 258. The authority conferred by this code to acquire real...

Section 259. - 259. When the department condemns the property of any common...

Section 260. - 260. In any lease, easement, or right of entry agreement...

ARTICLE 2.6 - Construction Contracts

Section 265. - 265. Notwithstanding any provisions of the State Contract Act, the...

ARTICLE 3 - Proceedings to Prevent Waste or Unreasonable Use

Section 275. - 275. The department and board shall take all appropriate proceedings...

ARTICLE 4 - Waste from Artesian Wells

Section 300. - 300. For the purposes of this article, an artesian well...

Section 301. - 301. For the purposes of this article, waste is the...

Section 302. - 302. The use of any water flowing from an artesian...

Section 303. - 303. Nothing in this article prevents the running of artesian...

Section 304. - 304. A beneficial use under the next preceding section shall...

Section 305. - 305. Any artesian well which is not capped or equipped...

Section 306. - 306. The owner, tenant, or occupant of the land upon...

Section 307. - 307. Any person owning, possessing, or occupying any land upon...

Section 308. - 308. Each day’s continuance of waste constitutes a new offense....

Section 309. - 309. Any person who violates any of the provisions of...

Section 310. - 310. All prosecutions for the violation of any of the...

Section 311. - 311. Any fine imposed under the provisions of this article...

ARTICLE 6 - Yuba River Debris Control

Section 340. - 340. Any funds appropriated for Yuba River debris control shall...

Section 341. - 341. Funds withdrawn from such appropriation must be matched by...

Section 342. - 342. All work paid for from such appropriation shall be...

ARTICLE 7 - Recreation

Section 345. - 345. The Department of Water Resources shall (a) plan recreation...

Section 346. - 346. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 345, the department, with...

ARTICLE 8 - Atmospheric Rivers: Research, Mitigation, and Climate Forecasting

Section 347. - 347. (a) The Atmospheric Rivers: Research, Mitigation, and Climate Forecasting...

CHAPTER 2.7 - Water Diversion and Use Reports

Section 348. - 348. (a) The department or the board may adopt emergency...

CHAPTER 3 - Water Shortage Emergencies

Section 350. - 350. The governing body of a distributor of a public...

Section 351. - 351. (a) Except in the event of a wildfire, deenergization...

Section 352. - 352. Notice of the time and place of hearing shall...

Section 353. - 353. When the governing body has so determined and declared...

Section 354. - 354. After allocating and setting aside the amount of water...

Section 355. - 355. The regulations and restrictions shall thereafter be and remain...

Section 356. - 356. The regulations and restrictions may include the right to...

Section 357. - 357. If the regulations and restrictions on delivery and consumption...

Section 358. - 358. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit...

Section 359. - 359. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law that requires...

CHAPTER 3.3 - Excessive Residential Water Use During Drought

Section 365. - 365. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that this chapter...

Section 366. - 366. (a) During periods described in subdivision (a) of Section...

Section 367. - 367. (a) This chapter applies only as follows: (1) During...

CHAPTER 3.4 - Allocation-Based Conservation Water Pricing

Section 370. - 370. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the...

Section 371. - 371. For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have...

Section 372. - 372. (a) A public entity may employ allocation-based conservation water...

Section 373. - 373. (a) Revenues derived from allocation-based conservation water pricing shall...

Section 374. - 374. (a) Allocation-based conservation water pricing under this chapter may...

CHAPTER 3.5 - Water Conservation Programs

Section 375. - 375. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, any public entity that...

Section 375.5. - 375.5. (a) A public entity may undertake water conservation and...

Section 376. - 376. (a) Any ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to Section...

Section 377. - 377. (a) From and after the publication or posting of...

Section 377.5. - 377.5. (a) A complaint or citation under subdivision (b) of...

Section 378. - 378. A public entity may enter into agreements with other...

CHAPTER 3.6 - Deference to Decisions by Local or Regional Agencies

Section 380. - 380. The Legislature hereby finds and declares as follows: (a)...

Section 381. - 381. The authority of local or regional public agencies pursuant...

Section 382. - 382. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, every local...

Section 383. - 383. For the purposes of this chapter, water that is...

Section 384. - 384. Prior to serving water to any person for use...

Section 385. - 385. No water may be transferred pursuant to this chapter...

Section 386. - 386. The board may approve any change associated with a...

Section 387. - 387. Any agreement for the transfer of water under the...

CHAPTER 3.7 - Water Standby and Availability Charges

Section 389. - 389. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the term...

CHAPTER 4 - Weather Resources Management

ARTICLE 1 - General Provisions

Section 400. - 400. This chapter shall be known and may be cited...

Section 401. - 401. It is hereby declared that atmospheric water within the...

Section 402. - 402. As used in this chapter: (a) “Weather resources management”...

ARTICLE 2 - Notice of Intention

Section 410. - 410. Before commencing a weather resources management project, the project...

Section 411. - 411. The project operator shall cause the notice of intention...

Section 412. - 412. Proof of publication shall be by copy of the...

ARTICLE 3 - Reporting

Section 420. - 420. The weather resources management project operator shall keep a...

CHAPTER 5 - Federal Reports on Proposed Flood Control and Reclamation Projects

Section 450. - 450. The Governor, or such state official or agency as...

Section 451. - 451. Within 10 days after the receipt of any such...

Section 452. - 452. Any legislative committee to which such a preliminary document...

Section 453. - 453. The Governor or his designee shall transmit, within the...

CHAPTER 6 - Water Reuse

ARTICLE 1 - Short Title

Section 460. - 460. This chapter shall be known as and may be...

ARTICLE 2 - Declaration of Policy

Section 461. - 461. It is hereby declared that the primary interest of...

ARTICLE 3 - Action by the Department of Water Resources

Section 462. - 462. The department shall conduct studies and investigations on the...

Section 463. - 463. The department shall study and investigate the technology of...

Section 465. - 465. The department may assist local agencies and public utilities...

CHAPTER 7 - Water Transfer

ARTICLE 1 - Short Title

Section 470. - 470. This chapter shall be known as and may be...

ARTICLE 2 - Declaration of Policy

Section 475. - 475. The Legislature hereby finds and declares that voluntary water...

ARTICLE 3 - State Assistance

Section 480. - 480. The department shall establish an ongoing program to facilitate...

Section 481. - 481. The department shall create and maintain a list of...

Section 482. - 482. The department shall prepare a water transfer guide which...

Section 483. - 483. The department shall consult and coordinate its activities with...

Section 484. - 484. (a) The temporary transfer of any water or water...

CHAPTER 8 - Water Measurement

ARTICLE 1 - Short Title

Section 500. - 500. This chapter shall be known and may be cited...

ARTICLE 2 - Definitions

Section 510. - 510. Unless the context otherwise requires, the provisions of this...

Section 511. - 511. The definition of a word applies to any of...

Section 512. - 512. “Water purveyor” means any person who furnishes water service...

Section 513. - 513. “Person” means any individual, firm, association, partnership, corporation, or...

Section 514. - 514. “Public entity” includes a city, county, city and county,...

Section 515. - 515. “Water service” means the sale, lease, rental, furnishing, or...

Section 516. - 516. “Water meter” includes any suitable water measuring device or...

Section 517. - 517. “Submeter” means a device that measures water consumption of...

ARTICLE 3 - Declaration of Policy

Section 520. - 520. The Legislature hereby finds and declares that, pursuant to...

Section 521. - 521. The Legislature further finds and declares all of the...

Section 522. - 522. The Legislature further finds and declares that waste or...

Section 523. - 523. The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the California...

ARTICLE 3.5 - Metered Service

Section 525. - 525. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, every water...

Section 526. - 526. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an urban...

Section 527. - 527. (a) An urban water supplier that is not subject...

Section 528. - 528. Notwithstanding Sections 526 and 527, any water purveyor that...

Section 529. - 529. (a) This article addresses a subject matter of statewide...

Section 529.5. - 529.5. On and after January 1, 2010, any urban water...

Section 529.7. - 529.7. This article does not limit the authority of a...

ARTICLE 4 - Standards

Section 530. - 530. Domestic cold water meters shall be in compliance with...

ARTICLE 4.3 - Agricultural and Urban Water Use Reporting

Section 531. - 531. Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions set forth...

Section 531.2. - 531.2. The department, the board, and the State Department of...

Section 531.5. - 531.5. (a) The board, in collaboration with the department, the...

Section 531.10. - 531.10. (a) (1) An agricultural water supplier shall submit an...

Section 531.15. - 531.15. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, state agencies...

Section 531.20. - 531.20. To the extent that the provisions of this article...

ARTICLE 4.5 - Irrigated Landscape

Section 535. - 535. (a) A water purveyor shall require as a condition...

ARTICLE 5 - Multiunit Structures

Section 537. - 537. (a) The structures in all of the following categories...

Section 537.1. - 537.1. (a) Each water purveyor that sells, leases, rents, furnishes,...

Section 537.2. - 537.2. (a) A final occupancy permit for a building shall...

Section 537.3. - 537.3. (a) This article does not preclude or preempt an...

Section 537.4. - 537.4. It is the intent of the Legislature that this...

Section 537.5. - 537.5. This article shall become operative on January 1, 2018....

CHAPTER 9 - Water Districts

Section 540. - 540. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a water district,...