citation: WAT § 9614

text:
The plan shall include all of the following:

(a) A description of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Flood Management System and the cities and counties included in the system.

(b) A description of the performance of the system and the challenges to modifying the system to provide appropriate levels of flood protection using available information.

(c) A description of the facilities included in the State Plan of Flood Control, including all of the following:

(1) The precise location and a brief description of each facility, a description of the population and property protected by the facility, the system benefits provided by the facility, if any, and a brief history of the facility, including the year of construction, major improvements to the facility, and any failures of the facility.

(2) The design capacity of each facility.

(3) A description and evaluation of the performance of each facility, including the following:

(A) An evaluation of failure risks due to each of the following:

(i) Overtopping.

(ii) Under seepage and seepage.

(iii) Structural failure.

(iv) Other sources of risk, including seismic risks, that the department or the board determines are applicable.

(B) A description of any uncertainties regarding performance capability, including uncertainties arising from the need for additional engineering evaluations or uncertainties arising from changed conditions such as changes in estimated channel capacities.

(d) A description of each existing dam that is not part of the State Plan of Flood Control that provides either significant systemwide benefits for managing flood risks within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley or protects urban areas within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley.

(e) A description of each existing levee and other flood management facility not described in subdivision (d) that is not part of the State Plan of Flood Control and that provides either significant systemwide benefits for managing flood risks within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley or protects an urban area.

(f) A description of the probable impacts of projected climate change, projected land use patterns, and other potential flood management challenges on the ability of the system to provide adequate levels of flood protection.

(g) An evaluation of the structural improvements and repairs necessary to bring each of the facilities of the State Plan of Flood Control to within its design standard. The evaluation shall include a prioritized list of recommended actions necessary to bring each facility not identified in subdivision (h) to within its design standard.

(h) The evaluation shall include a list of facilities recommended to be removed from the State Plan of Flood Control. For each facility recommended for removal, the evaluation shall identify both of the following:

(1) The reasons for proposing the removal of the facility from the State Plan of Flood Control.

(2) Any additional recommended actions associated with removing the facility from the State Plan of Flood Control.

(i) A description of both structural and nonstructural methods for providing an urban level of flood protection to current urban areas. The description shall also include a list of recommended next steps to improve urban flood protection.

(j) A description of structural and nonstructural means for enabling or improving systemwide riverine ecosystem function, including, but not limited to, establishment of riparian habitat and seasonal inundation of available flood plains where feasible.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 179, Sec. 231. Effective January 1, 2009.)


kind: section

code: WAT

citation: WAT § 9615

text: For the purposes of preparing the plan, the department shall collaborate with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the owners and operators of flood management facilities.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 364, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 2008.)

division: 5. FLOOD CONTROL

chapter: 2. Plan Development

path: 5. FLOOD CONTROL > 2. Plan Development


citation: WAT § 9616

text:
(a) The plan shall include a description of both structural and nonstructural means for improving the performance and elimination of deficiencies of levees, weirs, bypasses, and facilities, including facilities of the State Plan of Flood Control, and, wherever feasible, meet multiple objectives, including each of the following:

(1) Reduce the risk to human life, health, and safety from flooding, including protection of public safety infrastructure.

(2) Expand the capacity of the flood protection system in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley to either reduce floodflows or convey floodwaters away from urban areas.

(3) Link the flood protection system with the water supply system.

(4) Reduce flood risks in currently nonurbanized areas.

(5) Increase the engagement of local agencies willing to participate in improving flood protection, ensuring a better connection between state flood protection decisions and local land use decisions.

(6) Improve flood protection for urban areas to the urban level of flood protection.

(7) Promote natural dynamic hydrologic and geomorphic processes.

(8) Reduce damage from flooding.

(9) Increase and improve the quantity, diversity, and connectivity of riparian, wetland, flood plain, and shaded riverine aquatic habitats, including the agricultural and ecological values of these lands.

(10) Minimize the flood management system operation and maintenance requirements.

(11) Promote the recovery and stability of native species populations and overall biotic community diversity.

(12) Identify opportunities and incentives for expanding or increasing use of floodway corridors.

(13) Provide a feasible, comprehensive, and long-term financing plan for implementing the plan.

(14) Identify opportunities for reservoir reoperation in conjunction with groundwater flood storage.

(b) The plan shall include a prioritized list of recommended actions to reduce flood risks and meet the objectives described in subdivision (a).


citation: WAT § 9620

text:
Upon the adoption of the plan by the board, all of the following apply:

(a) The facilities identified pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 9614 shall be deemed to be part of the system.

(b) The board shall act on the recommendations to remove facilities identified pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 9614 from the State Plan of Flood Control.

(c) The department shall develop a recommended schedule and funding plan to implement the recommendations of the plan. To develop the recommended schedule and funding plan, the department may collaborate with local and federal agencies.

chapter: 3. Plan Implementation

path: 5. FLOOD CONTROL > 3. Plan Implementation


citation: WAT § 9621

text: Consistent with the adoption of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan pursuant to this part, each county shall collaborate with cities within its jurisdiction to develop flood emergency plans within 24 months of the adoption of the plan.


citation: WAT § 9622

text: Consistent with the adoption of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan pursuant to this part, each city, county, and city and county shall collaborate with the state and local flood management agencies to provide relocation assistance or other cost-effective strategies for reducing flood risk to existing economically disadvantaged communities located in nonurbanized areas.


citation: WAT § 9623

text: Consistent with the adoption of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan pursuant to this part, each city, county, and city and county shall collaborate with the state and local flood management agencies to develop funding mechanisms to finance local flood protection responsibilities by January 1, 2010.


citation: WAT § 9624

text: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this part applies to all cities, including charter cities, and counties included in the plan pursuant to Section 9614. The Legislature finds and declares that flood protection in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley is a matter of statewide concern and not a municipal affair as that term is used in Section 5 of Article XI of the California Constitution.


citation: WAT § 9625

text:
(a) By January 1, 2010, the department shall develop cost-sharing formulas, as needed, for funds made available by the Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act of 2006 (Chapter 1.699 (commencing with Section 5096.800) of Division 5 of the Public Resources Code) and the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006 (Division 43 (commencing with Section 75001) of the Public Resources Code) for repairs or improvements of facilities included in the plan to determine the local share of the cost of design and construction.

(b) The cost-sharing formulas developed by the department shall be established pursuant to Section 12585.7.

(c) In developing a cost-sharing formula, the department shall consider the ability of local governments to pay their share of the capital costs of the project.

(d) Prior to finalizing cost-sharing formulas, the department shall conduct public meetings to consider public comments. The department shall post a draft cost-sharing formula on its Internet Web site at least 30 days before the public meetings. To the extent feasible, the department shall provide outreach to disadvantaged communities to promote access and participation in the meetings.

history: (History: Amended (as added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 364) by Stats. 2008, Ch. 179, Sec. 232. Effective January 1, 2009. See prevailing section, as amended by Sec. 233 of Ch. 179, with different provisions in subd. (b).)


text:
(a) By January 1, 2010, the department shall develop cost-sharing formulas, as needed, for funds made available by the Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act of 2006 (Chapter 1.699 (commencing with Section 5096.800) of Division 5 of the Public Resources Code) and the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006 (Division 43 (commencing with Section 75001) of the Public Resources Code) for repairs or improvements of facilities included in the plan to determine the local share of the cost of design and construction.

(b) For qualifying projects pursuant to subdivision (a), the state’s share of the nonfederal share shall be set at a minimum level of 50 percent.

(c) In developing cost-sharing formulas, the department shall consider the ability of local governments to pay their share of the capital costs of the project.

(d) Prior to finalizing cost-sharing formulas, the department shall conduct public meetings to consider public comments. The department shall post a draft cost-sharing formula on its Internet Web site at least 30 days before the public meetings. To the extent feasible, the department shall provide outreach to disadvantaged communities to promote access and participation in the meetings.

history: (History: Amended (as added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 366) by Stats. 2008, Ch. 179, Sec. 233. Effective January 1, 2009. Note: This version prevails over the version as amended by Sec. 232 of Ch. 179, as to the differences in subd. (b).)


citation: WAT § 9650

text:
(a) (1) Commencing July 1, 2008, the allocation or expenditure of funds by the state for the upgrade of a project levee, if that upgrade is authorized on or after July 1, 2008, that protects an area in which more than 1,000 people reside shall be subject to a requirement that the local agency responsible for the operation and maintenance of the project levee and any city or county protected by the project levee, including a charter city or charter county, enter into an agreement to adopt a safety plan within two years. If a city or county is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the project levee, the governing body shall approve a resolution committing to the preparation of a safety plan within two years.

(2) The local entity responsible for the operation and maintenance of the project levee shall submit a copy of the safety plan to the department and the Central Valley Flood Protection Board.

(b) The safety plan, at a minimum, shall include all of the following elements:

(1) A flood preparedness plan that includes storage of materials that can be used to reinforce or protect a levee when a risk of failure exists.

(2) A levee patrol plan for high water situations.

(3) A flood-fight plan for the period before state or federal agencies assume control over the flood fight.

(4) An evacuation plan that includes a system for adequately warning the general public in the event of a levee failure, and a plan for the evacuation of every affected school, residential care facility for the elderly, and long-term health care facility.

(5) A floodwater removal plan.

(6) A requirement, to the extent reasonable, that either of the following applies to a new building in which the inhabitants are expected to be essential service providers:

(A) The building is located outside an area that may be flooded.

(B) The building is designed to be operable shortly after the floodwater is removed.

(c) The safety plan shall be integrated into any other local agency emergency plan and shall be coordinated with the state emergency plan.

(d) This section does not require the adoption of an element of the safety plan that was adopted previously and remains in effect.

history: (History: Amended (as added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 368, Sec. 8) by Stats. 2015, Ch. 303, Sec. 550. (AB 731) Effective January 1, 2016.)

part: 8. PROJECT LEVEE UPGRADES

path: 5. FLOOD CONTROL > 3. Plan Implementation > 8. PROJECT LEVEE UPGRADES


citation: WAT § 9651

text:
Unless the context requires otherwise, the definitions set forth in this section govern the construction of this part.

(a) “Emergency plan” and “state emergency plan” have the meanings set forth in subdivisions (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 8560 of the Government Code.

(b) “Essential service providers” includes, but is not limited to, hospitals, fire stations, police stations, and jails.

(c) “Long-term health care facility” has the same meaning as defined in Section 1418 of the Health and Safety Code.

(d) “Project levee” means any levee that is part of the facilities of the State Plan of Flood Control.

(e) “Residential care facility for the elderly” has the same meaning as defined in Section 1569.2 of the Health and Safety Code.

(f) “School” means a public or private preschool, elementary school, or secondary school or institution.

(g) “State Plan of Flood Control” means the state and federal flood control works, lands, programs, plans, policies, conditions, and mode of maintenance and operations of the Sacramento River Flood Control Project described in Section 8350, and of flood control projects in the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River watersheds authorized pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 12648) of Chapter 2 of Part 6 of Division 6 for which the board or the department has provided the assurances of nonfederal cooperation to the United States, and those facilities identified in Section 8361.

(h) (1) “Upgrade of a project levee” means installing a levee underseepage control system, increasing the height or bulk of a levee, installing a slurry wall or sheet pile into the levee, rebuilding a levee because of internal geotechnical flaws, or adding a stability berm.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an upgrade of a project levee does not include any action undertaken on an emergency basis.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 368, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2008.)


text: The coordinated plan for the conservation, development, and utilization of the water resources of the State (except the project known as the “Trinity River Diversion,” which is not approved) as set forth in the report thereon formulated and prepared by the Department of Public Works and transmitted to the Forty-ninth Session of the Legislature pursuant to Chapter 832 of the Statutes of 1929 shall be known as the “State Water Plan.”

history: (History: Amended By Stats. 1957, Ch. 1932.)

part: 1. ADOPTION OF STATE WATER PLAN

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 1. ADOPTION OF STATE WATER PLAN


text: The approval and adoption of the State Water Plan by Chapter 1185 of the Statutes of 1941 are continued in effect, except that the project known as the “Trinity River Diversion,” constitutes no part of the State Water Plan.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1945, Ch. 329.)

division: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES


text: The American River Development, as described in Public Law 356 of the Eighty-first Congress, First Session, and as constructed by the Federal Government, is part of the State Water Plan.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1957, Ch. 1121.)


text:
Notwithstanding any provisions of this article or any other provision of law to the contrary, the project known as the “Coloma Dam and Reservoir” constitutes no part of the State Water Plan.

In no event shall a permit to appropriate water be issued by the State for the purposes of a project which will flood any portion of the Gold Discovery Site State Park at Coloma unless such issuance is specifically authorized by law.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1955, Ch. 1583.)


text:
(a) The Georgetown Divide Public Utility District has the right to pursue, without any right of assignment to other parties, the district’s preliminary permit number 4287 which was issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the right to pursue a license from that commission for development of the South Fork of the American River between Chili Bar Reservoir and Salmon Falls Bridge.

(b) For the purposes of this section, the “date when the federal application process is completed” shall be defined relative to the district’s preliminary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission permit number 4287, any subsequent application for license, and any subsequent license for development of the South Fork of the American River between Chili Bar Reservoir and Salmon Falls Bridge, as that date when the first of the following occur:

(1) The date when the Georgetown Divide Public Utility District’s preliminary permit number 4287 expires if it expires before the district makes an application for license to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

(2) The date when a final determination is made, either by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or by the court, upon rejection of the application for a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license.

(3) The date when a final determination is made, either by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or by the court, upon issuance or denial of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license.

(4) Three years after the expiration date of preliminary permit number 4287.

(5) The date when the Georgetown Divide Public Utility District permanently and irrevocably withdraws its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission preliminary permit number 4287.

(c) Until the date when the federal application process is completed, no water rights application shall be accepted for filing, and no permit to appropriate water shall be issued, except from or to the Georgetown Divide Public Utility District, by the board for the purposes of any project which would directly divert water or divert water by storage for any beneficial use from the South Fork of the American River between Chili Bar Reservoir and Salmon Falls Bridge, except that this limitation on the filing or issuance of water rights does not apply to water rights applications or to the issuance of permits to appropriate water solely for consumptive use by residents of El Dorado County.

Nothing in this subdivision shall affect the exercise of riparian rights.

(d) For 10 years after the date when the federal application process is completed, no water rights application shall be accepted for filing, and no permit to appropriate water shall be issued, by the board for the purposes of any project which would directly divert water or divert water by storage for any beneficial use from the South Fork of the American River between Chili Bar Reservoir and Salmon Falls Bridge, except that this limitation on the filing or issuance of water rights does not apply to water rights applications or to the issuance of permits to appropriate water solely for consumptive use by residents of El Dorado County.

Nothing in this subdivision shall affect the exercise of riparian rights.

(e) Until 20 years after the date when the federal application process is completed, the statutory requirements of Part 2 (commencing with Section 1200) of Division 2 relating to diligence do not apply to applications from the Georgetown Divide Public Utility District for water rights from the South Fork of the American River between Chili Bar Reservoir and Salmon Falls Bridge, and those applications shall remain valid and shall retain and have the status and priority accorded to water rights applications by law other than this section until that date. After that date, all such requirements relating to diligence, as are now or hereafter provided, shall apply to the applications. No time requirement for acting on water rights applications, imposed on the board by any provision of law, shall apply to applications from the Georgetown Divide Public Utility District for water rights from the South Fork of the American River between Chili Bar Reservoir and Salmon Falls Bridge until the diligence requirements identified in this subdivision become applicable to the applications.

(f) From 10 years after the date when the federal application process is completed, no water rights application shall be accepted for filing, and no permit to appropriate water shall be issued, except from or to the Georgetown Divide Public Utility District, by the board for the purposes of any project which would directly divert water or divert water by storage for any beneficial use from the South Fork of the American River between Chili Bar Reservoir and Salmon Falls Bridge, except that this limitation on the filing or issuance of water rights does not apply to water rights applications or to the issuance of permits to appropriate water solely for consumptive use by residents of El Dorado County.

Nothing in this subdivision shall affect the exercise of riparian rights.

This subdivision shall cease to be operative 20 years after the date when the federal application process is completed.

(g) Any applicant for water rights whose project on the South Fork of the American River between Chili Bar Reservoir and Salmon Falls Bridge would reduce river flows below the flows necessary to continue instream recreational beneficial uses on that portion of the river shall evaluate alternatives which would not reduce the flows below those necessary to continue instream recreational beneficial uses.

(h) Any person who after the effective date of this section receives a permit or license to appropriate water at any point on the South Fork of the American River between Chili Bar Reservoir and Salmon Falls Bridge and who is also an applicant receiving a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission power license for a project on the South Fork of the American River between Chili Bar Reservoir and Salmon Falls Bridge shall replace in-kind at the time of loss any instream navigation, fishery, and swimming uses which are lost as a result of the project. The in-kind replacement may include, but is not limited to, improvement in flow reliability which would offset adverse changes in flows. The requirements of this subdivision shall be applicable to the applicants and their assignees and successors. The board shall, in accordance with the provisions of Division 2 (commencing with Section 1000), include terms and conditions in any water rights permit or license issued on any application to implement the requirements of this subdivision.

This subdivision shall not be operative or cease to be operative, as the case may be, if the Georgetown Divide Public Utility District permanently and irrevocably withdraws its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission preliminary permit number 4287 not later than 10 days after the operative date of this section.

(i) The Georgetown Divide Public Utility District shall not transfer any Federal Energy Regulatory Commission License received for any project on the South Fork of the American River between Chili Bar Reservoir and Salmon Falls Bridge, except that the district may transfer the license to a nongovernmental entity which is not a water purveyor or a power utility solely for the purpose of financing if the license is returned to the Georgetown Divide Public Utility District immediately after the financing purpose is accomplished.

The Georgetown Divide Public Utility District shall not transfer any water rights permit or license received for any project which would directly divert water or divert water by storage for any beneficial use from the South Fork of the American River between Chili Bar Reservoir and Salmon Falls Bridge, except that the district may transfer the permit or license to a nongovernmental entity which is not a water purveyor or a power utility solely for the purpose of financing if the permit or license is returned to the Georgetown Divide Public Utility District immediately after the financing purpose is accomplished.

(j) This section shall become operative on January 1, 1983, or on the date that the board issues a water rights permit or permits for the South Fork American River Project which is acceptable to the applicant, or on the date that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issues a license for project number 2761, also known as the South Fork American River Project, which is acceptable to the applicant, or on the date when challenges or appeals to that issuance have been dismissed or the issuance has been sustained, whichever date occurs last.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1982, Ch. 122, Sec. 1. Operative on January 1, 1983, or later, as provided in subd. (j).)


text: The Director of Finance shall notify the Joint Legislative Budget Committee of any hydroelectric power project relicensing proposal for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that, if approved by the department, would obligate the General Fund in the current or future years. The department may approve that relicensing proposal not less than 30 days after the Director of Finance notifies the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 356, Sec. 52. (SB 96) Effective September 26, 2013.)


text: The approval and adoption of the State Water Plan do not repeal any of the provisions of the Central Valley Project Act of 1933, and to the extent there may be any inconsistency or conflict, the provisions of Part 3 of this division shall prevail over the provisions of this part and of the State Water Plan.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1943, Ch. 370.)


text: Notwithstanding anything contained in this part, all applications heretofore filed by the Department of Finance under Part 2 of Division 6 shall remain valid and shall retain and have the status and priority accorded to such applications as now or hereafter provided in said Part 2.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1945, Ch. 1157.)


text:
(a) The department shall develop a comprehensive, strategic plan for the sustainable management and stewardship of California’s water resources. This plan shall be known as “The California Water Plan” and shall provide an update on the status and trends of California’s water-dependent natural resources, water supplies, and its agricultural, urban, and environmental water demands for a range of plausible future scenarios. The plan also shall include long-term water supply targets and strategies to meet those targets as outlined in this chapter.

(b) The department shall update The California Water Plan on or before December 31, 2028, and every five years thereafter.

(c) To develop the plan, the department, in consultation with the California Water Commission, shall establish an advisory committee, composed of representatives of agricultural and urban water suppliers, local government, business, agriculture, tribes, labor representatives from building and construction trades, labor representatives from public agencies involved in critical water infrastructure, including, but not limited to, water treatment and water wholesalers, environmental justice interests, environmental interests, and other interested parties, to assist and provide input to the department in the updating of The California Water Plan. The department shall consult with the advisory committee and consider recommendations in carrying out this chapter. The department shall provide written notice of meetings of the advisory committee to any interested person or entity that requests the notice. The meetings shall be open to the public.

(d) The department may add members to the advisory committee to carry out the purposes of Section 10004.7. Additional advisory committee members may include those from environmental justice sectors, local water supply agencies, and researchers and experts on climate science, climate science solutions, water storage, water conveyance, and environmental protection.

(e) The department shall release a preliminary draft of The California Water Plan, as updated, upon request, to interested persons and entities throughout the state for their review and comments. The department shall provide these persons and entities an opportunity to present written or oral comments on the preliminary draft. The department shall consider these comments in the preparation of the final publication of The California Water Plan, as updated.

(f) The department shall coordinate with the California Water Commission, the board, other local, state, and federal agencies as appropriate, and the advisory committee to develop the plan.

history: (History: Repealed and added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 210, Sec. 3. (SB 72) Effective January 1, 2026.)

chapter: 1. The California Water Plan

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 1. The California Water Plan


text:
(a) As part of the requirement of the department to update The California Water Plan pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 10004, the department shall include in the plan a discussion of various strategies, including, but not limited to, those relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, groundwater recharge, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, conveyance, stormwater capture, water transfers, and demand management activities that may be pursued in order to meet the future water needs of the state and the water supply targets developed by the department. The department shall also include a discussion of the potential for alternative water pricing policies to change current and projected uses. The department shall include in the plan a discussion of the potential advantages and disadvantages of each strategy and an identification of all federal and state permits, approvals, or entitlements that are anticipated to be required in order to implement the various components of the strategy.

(b) In preparing any update of The California Water Plan, the department shall conduct a series of public workshops to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan. The department shall select workshop locations to maximize geographic distribution, to ensure that regions of the state that have been impacted the most by drought, flood, and other weather extremes are included, and to ensure the workshops are accessible to communities with minority populations, communities with low-income populations, or both.

(c) Each update of the plan shall include, at a minimum, all of the following components:

(1) A discussion of environmental needs on a regional basis. The department’s discussion shall rely on the best available peer-reviewed scientific information.

(2) A discussion of urban sector water needs on a regional basis.

(3) A discussion of agricultural water needs on a regional basis.

(4) A summary of sources that could finance project types or actions within the various strategies.

(5) A discussion of the estimated costs, benefits, and impacts of any project type or action that is recommended by the department within the plan that could help achieve the water supply targets. The department shall also consider and incorporate into the discussion, if appropriate, existing studies or planning documents that quantify the costs and impacts to the state if there are inadequate water supplies to meet sustainable demands for all sectors.

(6) A report on the development of regional and local water projects within each hydrologic region of the state undertaken to improve water supplies to meet municipal, agricultural, and environmental water needs and minimize the need to import water from other hydrologic regions.

(d) Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the department shall report the amendments, supplements, and additions included in the updates of The California Water Plan, together with a summary of the department’s conclusions and recommendations, to the Legislature, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, in the session in which the updated plan is issued.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 210, Sec. 4. (SB 72) Effective January 1, 2026.)


text:
(a) (1) As part of updating The California Water Plan every five years pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 10004, the department shall conduct a study to determine the amount of additional water needed to meet the state’s future water needs and to recommend programs, policies, and facilities to meet those needs.

(2) As part of the 2033 update to The California Water Plan, the department shall update the required planning target pursuant to subdivision (f) for 2050.The target shall consider the identified and future water needs for all beneficial uses, including, but not limited to, urban uses, agricultural uses, recreational uses, tribal uses, and the environment, recognize the impacts of climate change on the state’s water resources, ensure safe drinking water for all Californians, and reflect statewide, regional, and local planning efforts. In establishing the long-term supply target, the department shall analyze current and future water needs trends, including identifying additional water necessary to sustain public trust resources. Nothing in this paragraph shall require the state water board or regional boards to update water quality control plans in order for the department to update the required planning target described in subdivision (f).

(3) Subsequent updates of the plan shall include a range of water supply targets that consider future scenarios with a 50-year planning horizon at a watershed scale.

(b) The department shall consult with the advisory committee established pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 10004 in carrying out this chapter.

(c) On or before December 31, 2027, and one year prior to issuing each successive update to The California Water Plan, the department shall release a preliminary draft of the assumptions and other estimates upon which the study will be based, to interested persons and entities throughout the state for their review and comments. The department shall provide these persons and entities an opportunity to present written or oral comments on the preliminary draft. The department shall consider these documents when adopting the final assumptions and estimates for the study. For the purpose of carrying out this subdivision, the department shall release, at a minimum, assumptions and other estimates relating to all of the following:

(1) Basin hydrology, including annual rainfall, estimated unimpaired streamflow, depletions, and consumptive uses.

(2) Groundwater supplies, including estimates of sustainable yield, supplies necessary to recover overdraft basins, and supplies lost due to pollution and other groundwater contaminants.

(3) Current and projected land use patterns, including the mix of residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and undeveloped lands.

(4) Environmental water needs, including regulatory instream flow requirements, nonregulated instream uses, and water needs by wetlands, preserves, refuges, and other managed and unmanaged natural resource lands.

(5) Current and projected population.

(6) Current and projected water use for all of the following:

(A) Interior uses in a single-family dwelling.

(B) Exterior uses in a single-family dwelling.

(C) All uses in a multifamily dwelling.

(D) Commercial uses.

(E) Industrial uses.

(F) Parks and open spaces.

(G) Agricultural water diversion and use.

(7) Opportunities for demand management.

(8) Evapotranspiration rates for major crop types, including estimates of evaporative losses by irrigation practice and the extent to which evaporation reduces transpiration.

(9) Current and projected adoption of urban and agricultural conservation practices.

(10) Current and projected supplies of water provided by water recycling and reuse.

(11) Current and projected water and infrastructure needs of disadvantaged communities, as defined in Section 79505.5, served by public water systems, state small water systems, and individual domestic wells, including, but not limited to, access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation, water quality, and water supply. The department may incorporate by reference the State Water Resources Control Board’s Drinking Water Needs Assessment or other available relevant assessments or reports.

(12) Climate change impacts by region and resulting water supply trends, including changes in timing and intensity of snowmelt runoff.

(d) The department shall include a discussion of the potential for alternative water pricing policies to change current and projected water uses identified pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision (c).

(e) This section does not require the department to update, or prohibit the department from updating, any data necessary to update The California Water Plan pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 10004.

(f) As part of the 2028 update to the plan, the department shall include an interim planning target of 9,000,000 acre-feet of additional water, water conservation, or water storage capacity to be achieved by 2040. This target may be achieved through strategies, including, but not limited to, a combination of the development of new or expanded surface or groundwater storage, conservation efforts, including the ongoing implementation of the Making Conservation a California Way of Life regulation pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 965) of Chapter 3.5 of Division 3 of Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations, or the development of stormwater capture, graywater, recycled water, or other water supplies.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 210, Sec. 5. (SB 72) Effective January 1, 2026.)


text:
(a) (1) The department, as part of the 2028 update, and each subsequent update thereafter, to The California Water Plan required pursuant to Section 10004, shall utilize its expertise in sustainable groundwater management to provide actionable recommendations to develop additional groundwater recharge opportunities that increase the recharge of the state’s groundwater basins without reducing the amount of water available for environmental purposes or any other purpose allowed under state law.

(2) The department shall consult with the state board, the nine regional water quality control boards, and the advisory committee established pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 10004 in carrying out this section.

(3) The recommendations shall identify immediate opportunities and potential long-term solutions to increase the state’s groundwater supply, with a priority on multibenefit projects. The recommendations shall include all of the following:

(A) An estimate of the volume of recharge that could potentially be realized by the enactment of the recommendations.

(B) A discussion of the variability of the quantities of water potentially available for recharge given varying hydrogeologic environments.

(C) An identification of the legal and regulatory requirements for recharge projects.

(D) A discussion of the possible financial or regulatory incentives that could support the development of recharge projects.

(E) An identification of locations and a description of how groundwater recharge at those locations can protect access to safe drinking water and provide water quality benefits.

(F) An identification of best practices to advance all benefits of groundwater recharge, including, but not limited to:

(i) Analysis regarding where groundwater recharge will be effective and protective of access to safe drinking water consistent with Section 106.3.

(ii) Mapping that identifies areas where recharge is unlikely to degrade groundwater quality based on consideration of the quality and composition of the source water, the qualities of the soil upon which recharge will occur, and the proximity to drinking water wells.

(4) The department shall, to the extent feasible, evaluate the potential economic and noneconomic costs and benefits of implementing the recommendations.

(b) Nothing in this section shall do any of the following:

(1) Limit or reduce the existing surface storage of water.

(2) Affect or change any water right.

(3) Prioritize any one use of water over another use, define what is to be considered a beneficial use of water, or in any way influence how the increased supply of groundwater under this part shall be used.

(c) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) “Groundwater recharge” means a process where water moves down from the ground surface or the bottom of a waterway and infiltrates an underlying aquifer. Groundwater recharge actions include increasing the amount of raw, treated, or recycled water in the groundwater basins through human-controlled means, including, but not limited to, use of aquifer storage and recovery wells, injection wells, surface spreading basins, field flooding, stormwater capture, flood managed basins, and in-lieu recharge.

(2) “Groundwater supply” means water that at any point in time is being stored underground that is available for human use and environmental protection to sustain the state’s future.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 624, Sec. 3. (SB 659) Effective January 1, 2024.)


text:
(a) It is hereby declared that the people of the state have a primary interest in the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and utilization of the water resources of the state by all individuals and entities and that it is the policy of the state that The California Water Plan, with any necessary amendments, supplements, and additions to the plan, is accepted as the master plan which guides the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, management and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state.

(b) The declaration set forth in subdivision (a) does not constitute approval for the construction of specific projects or routes for transfer of water, or for financial assistance, by the state, without further legislative action, nor shall the declaration be construed as a prohibition of the development of the water resources of the state by any entity.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 620, Sec. 2.)


text: The department or, at the department’s request, the California Water Commission, shall conduct a series of hearings with interested persons, organizations, local, state, and federal agencies, and representatives of the diverse geographical areas and interests of the state.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 620, Sec. 3.)


text: Prior to holding a hearing pursuant to Section 10005.1, the department shall give notice by mail of the hearing to persons and entities which have requested notice and have provided their name and address to the department.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 620, Sec. 4.)


text: The provisions of this part do not repeal or modify any of the provisions of Part 3 of this division.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1959, Ch. 2053.)


text: Notwithstanding anything contained in this part, all applications heretofore filed by the Department of Finance or by the Department of Water Resources under Part 2 of Division 6 shall remain valid and shall retain and have the status and priority accorded to such applications as now or hereafter provided in said Part 2.


text:
The Legislature hereby finds and declares that agreements which provide for the transfer of water from the federal Central Valley Project to public entities supplying water for domestic or irrigation use offer potential benefits to California’s hard-pressed farmers and to California’s water-dependent urban areas.

It is the intent of the Legislature that these contracts be entered into for the purposes of strengthening California’s economy, serving the public, and protecting the environment.

The director shall continue to pursue negotiations with the United States Bureau of Reclamation to contract for the interim rights to stored water from the federal Central Valley Project for use in the State Water Resources Development System by state water supply contractors.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 1241, Sec. 1. Effective September 26, 1986.)


text: The director shall pursue discussions with the United States Bureau of Reclamation to permit persons and public entities which have entitlements to water from the federal Central Valley Project, to enter into legally binding contracts with any public entity which supplies water for domestic use, irrigation use, or environmental protection in this state for the transfer of federal water entitlements during times of shortage.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 1241, Sec. 2. Effective September 26, 1986.)


text:
(a) In preparing the California Water Plan, the director shall conduct at least one public hearing within the boundaries of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and shall solicit the comments of water agencies within the delta, agricultural groups representative of delta agricultural activity, environmental groups concerned with protecting delta wildlife habitat, and groups representative of those who utilize water exported from the delta.

(b) The California Water Plan shall include a discussion of various alternatives, including their advantages and disadvantages, for improving and protecting the current uses and configuration of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

(c) Subdivisions (a) and (b) shall be implemented only to the extent money is appropriated in the annual Budget Act to carry out this section.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 953, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1993.)


text:
The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:

(a) The state’s growth requires policymakers to seek creative ways to maximize the use of water resources and employ technology to conserve water whenever possible.

(b) The state’s agricultural industry, as well as residential landscapers, pest control managers, park and golf course operators, water agencies, and large urban irrigators rely on the California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) to provide evapotranspiration data that allows them to develop weather-based, water budgeting methods of irrigation. A recent study found that the California Irrigation Management Information System generates $64.7 million in annual benefits to the state, at an annual cost of only eight hundred fifty thousand dollars ($850,000).

(c) Completing the development of standard data protocol for evapotranspiration data and enhancing statewide coverage of CIMIS data will allow significant improvements in landscape management and irrigation scheduling, thereby saving significant amounts of water. Studies have shown a savings of 37 gallons per day for residential irrigation, and 545 gallons per day for nonresidential irrigation, as well as runoff reduction of up to 50 percent when weather-based irrigation controllers using evapotranspiration data are installed.

(d) The expansion of the California Irrigation Management Information System, and the use of evapotranspiration data in irrigation has other environmental benefits as well. The reduction in urban runoff that results can lead to improved water quality, and for every one acre foot of water saved, there is a corresponding reduction of one ton of air emissions, according to the California Irrigation Management Information System Urban Resource Book (May 2000).

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 319, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2008.)

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 2. California Irrigation Management Information System


text:
(a) The Department of Water Resources shall complete the development of a standard data protocol for evapotranspiration data, to ensure that the data is available in an easily accessible, standard, and usable format throughout the state, and made available through the California Irrigation Management Information System.

(b) The Department of Water Resources shall continue the operation of the California Irrigation Management Information System to allow evapotranspiration data to be generated for, and made available to, all regions of the state.

(c) The Department of Water Resources shall perform the duties required by this section to the extent funds are appropriated for these purposes in the annual Budget Act.

(d) Upon appropriation by the Legislature, funds allocated pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 75027 of the Public Resources Code shall be made available to provide regional contributions towards satisfying the duties required by this section.

chapter: 2. California Irrigation Management Information System


text:
The department shall make and file applications for any water which in its judgment is or may be required in the development and completion of the whole or any part of a general or coordinated plan looking toward the development, utilization, or conservation of the water resources of the state.

Any application filed pursuant to this part shall be made and filed pursuant to Part 2 (commencing with Section 1200) of Division 2 of this code and the rules and regulations of the State Water Resources Control Board relating to the appropriation of water insofar as applicable thereto.

Applications filed pursuant to this part shall have priority, as of the date of filing, over any application made and filed subsequent thereto. The statutory requirements of Part 2 (commencing at Section 1200) of Division 2 relating to diligence shall not apply to applications filed under this part, except as otherwise provided in Section 10504.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 481, Sec. 2.)

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 2. California Irrigation Management Information System > 2. APPROPRIATION OF WATER BY DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES


text: All applications made and filed pursuant to Section 10500 shall be transferred to the State Water Resoures Control Board and held by the board for the purposes of this part. The board may release from priority or assign any portion of any application filed under this part when the release or assignment is for the purpose of development not in conflict with such general or coordinated plan or with water quality objectives established pursuant to law. The assignee of any such application whether heretofore or hereafter assigned, is subject to all the requirements of diligence as provided in Part 2 (commencing with Section 1200) of Division 2 of this code. “Assignee” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, state agencies, commissions and departments, and the United States of America or any of its departments or agencies.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1967, Ch. 284.)

part: 2. APPROPRIATION OF WATER BY DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES


text:
Each petition for assignment of all or a portion of an application filed pursuant to this part, which application has not been completed in accordance with law and the regulations of the board, shall include as a part thereof a proposed completed application consistent with the requested assignment, and describing petitioner’s proposed project. As soon as practicable after the receipt of such petition the board shall issue and deliver a notice of the petition and proposed completed application in accordance with Article 1 (commencing with Section 1300), Chapter 3, Part 2, Division 2 of this code and shall also deliver a copy of the notice to the department and to the board of supervisors of each county in which the water originates and in which the water is to be used. Further procedure with respect to each such petition shall be in accordance with Chapters 3 (commencing with Section 1300), 4 (commencing with Section 1330) and 5 (commencing with Section 1340), Part 2, Division 2 of this code relating to notice, protests, hearing, and action on applications for permits to appropriate water. The hearing shall be for the purpose of determining whether the application should be assigned pursuant to Sections 10504 and 10505 and whether the proposed completed application submitted by the petitioner should be approved in whole or in part. When the board’s determination is favorable to the petitioner, it shall assign all or a portion of the application to the petitioner, accept and approve the assigned portion, and issue a permit as in other cases provided by law. Any portion of the application which is not assigned shall remain with the board subject to further disposition by it pursuant to the provisions of this part.

Two or more petitions for assignment of the same or related applications may be consolidated for purposes of hearing and determination with each other and with other applications, in the discretion of the board.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 989.)


text: Before any application made and filed pursuant to Section 10500 is assigned or released from priority, the State Water Resources Control Board shall hold a public hearing. Written notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be mailed, at least 45 days prior to the date set for the hearing, to the board of supervisors of each county in the area in which the water originates and in the area or areas in which the water is to be used. Any interested persons may appear at the hearing and present their views and objections as to the proposed action.


text: Procedure with respect to petitions for assignment of all or a portion of applications filed pursuant to this part, which applications have been completed in accordance with law and the regulations of the board, shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 10504.01 insofar as they are applicable.


text:
In order to insure that projects will be constructed in accordance with a general or coordinated plan for the development of water:

(a) The recipient of a release from priority or assignment under this part shall, before making any changes determined by the State Water Resources Control Board to be substantial in the project in furtherance of which the release or assignment was made, submit such changes to the State Water Resources Control Board for its approval. The board shall approve any such change only if it determines that such change will not conflict with the general or coordinated plan or with water quality objectives established pursuant to law. All permits and licenses issued pursuant to applications so released or assigned shall contain terms conditioning such permits and licenses upon compliance with this subdivision.

(b) The holder of applications that have been assigned, or in favor of which a release from priority has been made, shall submit any proposed amendments to such applications to the State Water Resources Control Board. The board shall approve such amendments only if it determines that the amendments will not conflict with the general or coordinated plan or with water quality objectives established pursuant to law. The board shall notify the holder of the application of its approval or disapproval.


text: No priority under this part shall be released nor assignment made of any application that will, in the judgment of the board, deprive the county in which the water covered by the application originates of any such water necessary for the development of the county.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1965, Ch. 989.)


text: Every application heretofore or hereafter made and filed pursuant to Section 10500, and held by the State Water Resources Control Board, shall be amended to provide, and any permit hereafter issued pursuant to such an application, and any license issued pursuant to such a permit, shall provide, that the application, permit, or license shall not authorize the use of any water outside of the county of origin which is necessary for the development of the county.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1969, Ch. 1359.)


text: Every state department or state officer, upon request of the department, shall furnish any service or assistance in the investigation of the need or feasibility of all or any part of such general or coordinated plan and the cost of construction, operation, and maintenance thereof, of the financing of construction and rates or returns that may be required to operate and maintain all or any part of the plan, of the amortization of bonded or other indebtedness that may be placed on all or any part of the plan for the cost of construction thereof, and shall render any other service which the department deems necessary for the maintenance of any priority in the State for the purposes of all or any part or unit of the plan and the future development and completion of it in the public interest.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1957, Ch. 1932.)


text: This part shall be known and may be cited as the Agricultural Water Conservation and Management Act of 1992.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 184, Sec. 1.)

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 2. California Irrigation Management Information System > 2.1. AGRICULTURAL WATER CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1992


text:
Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions govern the construction of this part:

(a) “Water conservation” means the reduction of the amount of water consumed or irretrievably lost in the process of satisfying beneficial uses which can be achieved either by improving the technology or the method for diverting, transporting, applying, reusing, salvaging, or recovering water, or by implementing other conservation methods.

(b) “Efficient water management” means reasonable and economically justifiable programs to improve the delivery and use of water for agricultural purposes that will result in water conservation.

(c) “Water supplier” means the department or other public agency that supplies water for agricultural use.

part: 2.1. AGRICULTURAL WATER CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1992


text:
A water supplier, individually or in cooperation with other public agencies or persons, may institute a water conservation or efficient water management program, including, but not limited to, all of the following components:

(a) Providing irrigation and other water use management services to persons served by the water supplier, including, but not limited to, all of the following services:

(1) Providing information on historic and current crop water use data for crops grown in the area served by the water supplier, including evapotranspiration and leaching requirements of those crops.

(2) Providing irrigation consulting services to monitor on-farm water use practices and to provide information to improve on-farm water management.

(3) Monitoring salinity to obtain favorable salt balances.

(4) Recommending more efficient techniques for preplanting irrigation of the crop root zone.

(5) Providing evaluations of the operation and efficiency of individual on-farm irrigation systems and animal sanitation systems and similar uses, and making recommendations for improvement of those systems.

(6) Providing irrigation management improvement services during the growing season.

(b) Making physical and structural improvements to the water supplier’s delivery system, and aiding in the improvement of on-farm systems, including, but not limited to, all of the following improvements:

(1) Using flow measuring devices in the delivery system and providing to farmers, or assisting farmers in the use of, on-farm flow measurement devices.

(2) Lining ditches and canals or providing pipelines in the supplier’s delivery system and helping farmers to take these actions, except where seepage is desirable for groundwater recharge or environmental purposes.

(3) Evaluating the storage, conveyance, and drainage systems of the water supplier and the farmers served by the water supplier and the application systems of the farmers served by the water supplier to maximize efficient water management.

(4) Assisting farmers technically and financially with installation and operation of on-farm conservation equipment if the installation and operation is economically feasible for the water supplier.

(c) Making institutional and operational adjustments, including, but not limited to, all of the following adjustments:

(1) Allowing changes or flexibility in the water contract year to more closely fit water-use characteristics of the crops being grown.

(2) Establishing a pricing structure for water delivered to encourage conservation.

(3) Maximizing flexibility, to the extent economically and otherwise feasible, in water delivery to farmers to enable them to optimize their irrigation efficiency.

(4) Developing education programs for farmers relating to on-farm conservation.

(5) Promoting or developing conjunctive use programs for use of groundwater and surface water.

(6) Encouraging voluntary exchanges of water between water suppliers which have surplus water and suppliers which have a water shortage.


text:
In formulating a water conservation or efficient water management program, a water supplier may take into account the positive or negative effect of the program, or any of its parts, on other factors, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(a) The productivity of agricultural land served by the water supplier or other lands.

(b) The quality of groundwater or surface water.

(c) Fish and wildlife or other environmental values.

(d) Recreational uses.

(e) Surface and subsurface drainage discharge.

(f) The salt balance.

(g) Groundwater overdrafting.

(h) Peak and total energy use.

(i) The cost of water and the economics of farming.

(j) Water supply to other users.


text: This part shall be known and may be cited as the Integrated Regional Water Management Planning Act.

history: (History: Repealed and added by Stats. 2008, 2nd Ex. Sess., Ch. 1, Sec. 5. Effective March 1, 2009.)

chapter: 1. Short Title

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 1. Short Title


text:
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) Water is a valuable natural resource in California, and should be managed to ensure the availability of sufficient supplies to meet the state’s agricultural, domestic, industrial, and environmental needs. It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage local agencies to work cooperatively to manage their available local and imported water supplies to improve the quality, quantity, and reliability of those supplies.

(b) Local agencies can realize efficiencies by coordinating and integrating their assets and seeking mutual solutions to water management issues.

(c) The reliability of water supplies can be significantly improved by diversifying water portfolios, taking advantage of local and regional opportunities, and considering a broad variety of water management strategies as described in the California Water Plan.

(d) The implementation of this part will facilitate the development of integrated regional water management plans, thereby assisting each region of the state to improve water supply reliability, water quality, and environmental stewardship to meet current and future needs.

(e) Water management is integrally linked to public health and the health of all natural resources within our watersheds. It is the intent of the Legislature that water management strategies and projects are carried out in a way that promotes these important public values.

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 2. Legislative Findings and Declarations


text: It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage collaboration among mutual water companies that operate public water systems in the City of Maywood to create a public agency that can consolidate drinking water services for the people and businesses of that city.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 633, Sec. 6. (AB 240) Effective January 1, 2014.)

chapter: 2. Legislative Findings and Declarations


text: Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions set forth in this chapter govern the construction of this part.

chapter: 3. Definitions

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 3. Definitions


text: “Basin plan” means a water quality control plan developed pursuant to Section 13240.


text: “Integrated regional water management plan” means a comprehensive plan for a defined geographic area, the specific development, content, and adoption of which shall satisfy requirements developed pursuant to this part. At a minimum, an integrated regional water management plan describes the major water-related objectives and conflicts within a region, considers a broad variety of water management strategies, identifies the appropriate mix of water demand and supply management alternatives, water quality protections, and environmental stewardship actions to provide long-term, reliable, and high-quality water supply and protect the environment, and identifies disadvantaged communities in the region and takes the water-related needs of those communities into consideration.


text: “Local agency” means any city, county, city and county, special district, joint powers authority, or other political subdivision of the state, a public utility as defined in Section 216 of the Public Utilities Code, or a mutual water company as defined in Section 2725 of the Public Utilities Code.


text: “Plan” means an integrated regional water management plan.


text:
“Regional projects or programs” means projects or programs identified in an integrated regional water management plan that accomplish any of the following:

(a) Reduce water demand through agricultural and urban water use efficiency.

(b) Increase water supplies for any beneficial use through the use of any of the following, or other, means:

(1) Groundwater storage and conjunctive water management.

(2) Desalination.

(3) Precipitation enhancement.

(4) Water recycling.

(5) Regional and local surface storage.

(6) Water-use efficiency.

(7) Stormwater management.

(c) Improve operational efficiency and water supply reliability, including conveyance facilities, system reoperation, and water transfers.

(d) Improve water quality, including drinking water treatment and distribution, groundwater and aquifer remediation, matching water quality to water use, wastewater treatment, water pollution prevention, and management of urban and agricultural runoff.

(e) Improve resource stewardship, including agricultural lands stewardship, ecosystem restoration, flood plain management, recharge area protection, urban land use management, groundwater management, water-dependent recreation, fishery restoration, including fish passage improvement, and watershed management.

(f) Improve flood management through structural and nonstructural means, or by any other means.


text: “Regional reports or studies” means reports or studies relating to any of the matters described in subdivisions (a) to (f), inclusive, of Section 10537, that are identified in an integrated regional water management plan.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2008, 2nd Ex. Sess., Ch. 1, Sec. 5. Effective March 1, 2009.)


text: “Regional water management group” means a group in which three or more local agencies, at least two of which have statutory authority over water supply or water management, as well as those other persons who may be necessary for the development and implementation of a plan that meets the requirements in Sections 10540 and 10541, participate by means of a joint powers agreement, memorandum of understanding, or other written agreement, as appropriate, that is approved by the governing bodies of those local agencies.


text:
(a) A regional water management group may prepare and adopt an integrated regional water management plan in accordance with this part.

(b) A regional water management group may coordinate its planning activities to address or incorporate all or part of any of the following actions of its members into its plan:

(1) Groundwater management planning pursuant to Part 2.75 (commencing with Section 10750), groundwater sustainability planning pursuant to Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720), or other specific groundwater management authority.

(2) Urban water management planning pursuant to Part 2.6 (commencing with Section 10610).

(3) The preparation of a water supply assessment required pursuant to Part 2.10 (commencing with Section 10910).

(4) Agricultural water management planning pursuant to Part 2.8 (commencing with Section 10800).

(5) City and county general planning pursuant to Section 65350 of the Government Code.

(6) Stormwater resource planning that is undertaken pursuant to Part 2.3 (commencing with Section 10560).

(7) Other water resource management planning, including flood protection, watershed management planning, and multipurpose program planning.

(c) At a minimum, all plans shall address all of the following:

(1) Protection and improvement of water supply reliability, including identification of feasible agricultural and urban water use efficiency strategies.

(2) Identification and consideration of the drinking water quality of communities within the area of the plan.

(3) Protection and improvement of water quality within the area of the plan, consistent with the relevant basin plan.

(4) Identification of any significant threats to groundwater resources from overdrafting.

(5) Protection, restoration, and improvement of stewardship of aquatic, riparian, and watershed resources within the region.

(6) Protection of groundwater resources from contamination.

(7) Identification and consideration of the water-related needs of disadvantaged communities and owners and occupants of affordable housing, including the removal and replacement of nonfunctional turf, as defined in Section 10608.12, in the area within the boundaries of the plan.

(d) This section does not obligate a local agency to fund the implementation of any project or program.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 849, Sec. 2. (AB 1572) Effective January 1, 2024.)

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 4. Integrated Regional Water Management Plans


text:
(a) The department shall develop project solicitation and evaluation guidelines for the application of funds made available pursuant to Section 75026 of the Public Resources Code and all other funds that are or may become available for integrated regional water management plan implementation, including a future water bond, to enable broad and diverse participation in integrated regional water management plan development and refinement.

(b) The department shall conduct two public meetings to consider public comments prior to finalizing the guidelines. The department shall publish the draft solicitation and evaluation guidelines on its Internet Web site at least 30 days before the public meetings. One meeting shall be conducted at a location in northern California and one meeting shall be conducted at a location in southern California. Upon adoption, the department shall transmit copies of the guidelines to the fiscal committees and the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature. To the extent feasible, each state agency shall provide outreach to disadvantaged communities to promote access to and participation in those meetings.

(c) The department shall consult with the board, the California regional water quality control boards, the State Department of Public Health, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the California Bay-Delta Authority or its successor, and other state agencies with water management responsibility and authority in the development of the guidelines.

(d) The department may periodically review and update the guidelines to accommodate changes in funding sources, statutory requirements, new commonly accepted management practices, and changes in state water management policy. Any guideline changes shall be made with appropriate consultation with other state agencies and public review pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (c).

(e) The guidelines shall require that integrated regional water management plans include all of the following:

(1) Consideration of all of the resource management strategies identified in the California Water Plan, as updated by department Bulletin No. 160-2005 and future updates.

(2) Consideration of objectives in the appropriate basin plan or plans and strategies to meet applicable water quality standards.

(3) Description of the major water-related objectives and conflicts within a region.

(4) To the extent possible, measurable regional objectives and criteria for developing regional project priorities.

(5) An integrated, collaborative, multibenefit approach to selection and design of projects and programs.

(6) Identification and consideration of the water-related needs of disadvantaged communities in the area within the boundaries of the plan.

(7) Performance measures and monitoring to demonstrate progress toward meeting regional objectives.

(8) A plan for implementation and financing of identified projects and programs.

(9) Consideration of greenhouse gas emissions of identified programs and projects.

(10) Evaluation of the adaptability to climate change of water management systems in the region.

(11) Documentation of data and technical analyses used in the development of the plan.

(12) A process to disseminate data and information related to the development and implementation of the plan.

(13) A process to coordinate water management projects and activities of participating local agencies and local stakeholders to avoid conflicts and take advantage of efficiencies.

(14) If an area within the boundaries of the plan has nitrate, arsenic, perchlorate, or hexavalent chromium contamination, the plan shall include a description of each of the following:

(A) The location and extent of that contamination in the region.

(B) The impacts caused by the contamination to communities within the region.

(C) Existing efforts being undertaken in the region to address the impacts.

(D) Any additional efforts needed to address the impacts.

(15) Any other matters identified by the department.

(f) The guidelines shall include standards for identifying a region for the purpose of developing or modifying an integrated regional water management plan. At a minimum, a region shall be a contiguous geographic area encompassing the service areas of multiple local agencies, and shall be defined to maximize opportunities for integration of water management activities. The department shall develop a process to approve the composition of a region for the purposes of Sections 75026, 75027, and 75028 of the Public Resources Code.

(g) The guidelines shall require that the development and implementation of an integrated regional water management plan include a public process that provides outreach and an opportunity to participate in plan development and implementation to appropriate local agencies and stakeholders, as applicable to the region, including all of the following:

(1) Wholesale and retail water purveyors, including a local agency, mutual water company, or a water corporation as defined in Section 241 of the Public Utilities Code.

(2) Wastewater agencies.

(3) Flood control agencies.

(4) Municipal and county governments and special districts.

(5) Electrical corporations, as defined in Section 218 of the Public Utilities Code.

(6) Native American tribes that have lands within the region.

(7) Self-supplied water users, including agricultural, industrial, residential, park districts, school districts, colleges and universities, and others.

(8) Environmental stewardship organizations, including watershed groups, fishing groups, land conservancies, and environmental groups.

(9) Community organizations, including landowner organizations, taxpayer groups, and recreational interests.

(10) Industry organizations representing agriculture, developers, and other industries appropriate to the region.

(11) State, federal, and regional agencies or universities, with specific responsibilities or knowledge within the region.

(12) Disadvantaged community members and representatives, including environmental justice organizations, neighborhood councils, and social justice organizations.

(13) Any other interested groups appropriate to the region.

(h) The guidelines shall require integrated regional water management plans to be developed through a collaborative process that makes public both of the following:

(1) The process by which decisions are made in consultation with the persons or entities identified in subdivision (g).

(2) The manner in which a balance of interested persons or entities representing different sectors and interests listed in subdivision (g) have been or will be engaged in the process described in this subdivision, regardless of their ability to contribute financially to the plan.

(i) The guidelines shall provide for a process for the development, periodic review, updating, and amending of integrated regional water management plans. The department shall establish eligibility requirements for the project funding, that provide sufficient time for the updating of plans as necessary to reflect changes in the guidelines.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 717, Sec. 1. (AB 1249) Effective January 1, 2015.)

chapter: 4. Integrated Regional Water Management Plans


text:
(a) A regional water management group proposing to prepare an integrated regional water management plan shall publish a notice of intention to prepare the plan in accordance with Section 6066 of the Government Code.

(b) For the purposes of carrying out this part, the regional water management group shall make available to the public the documentation prepared pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 10541 describing the manner in which interested parties may participate in developing the integrated regional water management plan.

(c) Upon the completion of the integrated regional water management plan, the regional water management group shall publish a notice of intention to adopt the plan in accordance with Section 6066 of the Government Code and shall adopt the plan in a public meeting of its governing board.


text: When selecting projects and programs pursuant to Division 24 (commencing with Section 78500), Division 26 (commencing with Section 79000), Division 26.5 (commencing with Section 79500), or pursuant to any grant funding authorized on or after January 1, 2009, for water management activities, the department, the board, the State Department of Public Health, and the California Bay-Delta Authority or its successor, as appropriate, shall include in any set of criteria used to select projects and programs for funding, a criterion that provides a preference for regional projects or programs.

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 5. Funding for Qualified Projects and Programs


text: For grant applications that include areas that have nitrate, arsenic, perchlorate, or hexavalent chromium contamination, the regional water management group shall include in the grant application information regarding how a project or projects in the application help to address the contamination or an explanation why the application does not include that kind of project or projects.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 717, Sec. 2. (AB 1249) Effective January 1, 2015.)

chapter: 5. Funding for Qualified Projects and Programs


text: When selecting projects pursuant to Section 75026 of the Public Resources Code or for other funds that are or may become available for integrated regional water management plan implementation, the department shall consider for grant applications that include areas that have nitrate, arsenic, perchlorate, or hexavalent chromium contamination, whether the regional water management group has included projects that help address the impacts caused by nitrate, arsenic, perchlorate, or hexavalent chromium contamination, including projects that provide safe drinking water to small disadvantaged communities.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 717, Sec. 3. (AB 1249) Effective January 1, 2015.)


text: An integrated regional water management plan prepared pursuant to this part shall be eligible for funding pursuant to Section 75026 of the Public Resources Code, and for any funding authorized on or after January 1, 2009, that is allocated specifically for implementation of integrated regional water management.


text: This part does not prohibit the department from implementing Section 75026 of the Public Resources Code by using existing integrated regional water management guidelines in accordance with subdivision (d) of Section 75026 of the Public Resources Code.


text: This part does not affect any powers granted to a local agency by any other law.

chapter: 6. Miscellaneous

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 6. Miscellaneous


text: This part does not authorize a regional water management group to define, or otherwise determine, the water rights of any person.


text: The plan or project shall not be funded pursuant to this part if it would fund activities inconsistent with applicable state and federal water quality laws.


text: This part shall be known and may be cited as “The Stormwater Resource Planning Act.”

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 620, Sec. 3. (SB 790) Effective January 1, 2010.)

part: 2.3. STORMWATER RESOURCE PLANNING

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 6. Miscellaneous > 2.3. STORMWATER RESOURCE PLANNING


text:
The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:

(a) In many parts of the state stormwater and dry weather runoff are underutilized sources of surface water and groundwater supplies. Instead of being viewed as a resource, they are often seen as a problem that must be moved to the ocean as quickly as possible or as a source of contamination, contributing to a loss of usable water supplies and the pollution and impairment of rivers, lakes, streams, and coastal waters.

(b) Improved management of stormwater and dry weather runoff, including capture, treatment, and reuse by using the natural functions of soils and plants, can improve water quality, reduce localized flooding, and increase water supplies for beneficial uses and the environment.

(c) Most of California’s current stormwater drainage systems are designed to capture and convey water away from people and property rather than capturing that water for beneficial uses.

(d) Historical patterns of precipitation are predicted to change and an increasing amount of California’s water is predicted to fall not as snow in the mountains, but as rain in other areas of the state. This will likely have a profound and transforming effect on California’s hydrologic cycle and much of that water will no longer be captured by California’s reservoirs, many of which are located to capture snow melt.

(e) When properly designed and managed, the capture and use of stormwater and dry weather runoff can contribute significantly to local water supplies through onsite storage and use, or letting it infiltrate into the ground to recharge groundwater, either onsite or at regional facilities, thereby increasing available supplies of drinking water.

(f) New developments and redevelopments should be designed to be consistent with low-impact development principles to improve the retention, use, and infiltration of stormwater and dry weather runoff onsite or at regional facilities.

(g) Stormwater and dry weather runoff can be managed to achieve environmental and societal benefits such as wetland creation and restoration, riverside habitats, instream flows, and an increase in park and recreation lands, and urban green space.

(h) Stormwater and dry weather runoff management through multiobjective projects can achieve additional benefits, including augmenting recreation opportunities for communities, increased tree canopy, reduced urban heat island effect, and improved air quality.

(i) Proper planning and implementation is vital to ensure that the water supply and other benefits potentially available through better management of stormwater and dry weather runoff do not come at the expense of diminished water quality.

(j) The capture and use of stormwater and dry weather runoff is not only one of the most cost-effective sources of new water supplies, it is a supply that can often be provided using significantly less energy than other sources of new water supplies.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 555, Sec. 1. (SB 985) Effective January 1, 2015.)


text:
Solely for the purposes of this part, and unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions govern the construction of this part:

(a) “Dry weather runoff” means surface waterflow and waterflow in storm drains, flood control channels, or other means of runoff conveyance produced by nonstormwater resulting from irrigation, residential, commercial, and industrial activities.

(b) “Stormwater” means temporary surface water runoff and drainage generated by immediately preceding storms. This definition shall be interpreted consistent with the definition of “stormwater” in Section 122.26 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 555, Sec. 2. (SB 985) Effective January 1, 2015.)


text:
(a) A public entity that captures stormwater from urban areas, in accordance with a stormwater resource plan, before the water reaches a natural channel shall be entitled to use the captured water to the extent that the water augments existing water supplies.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to do any of the following:

(1) Alter or impair any existing rights.

(2) Change existing water rights law.

(3) Interfere with, amend, or supersede any existing water rights adjudication or other legally mandated water management plan.

(4) Create a groundwater pumping right where a pumping right does not already exist.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 526, Sec. 1. (AB 2594) Effective January 1, 2017.)


text:
(a) One or more public agencies may develop a stormwater resource plan pursuant to this part.

(b) A stormwater resource plan shall:

(1) Be developed on a watershed basis.

(2) Identify and prioritize stormwater and dry weather runoff capture projects for implementation in a quantitative manner, using a metrics-based and integrated evaluation and analysis of multiple benefits to maximize water supply, water quality, flood management, environmental, and other community benefits within the watershed.

(3) Provide for multiple benefit project design to maximize water supply, water quality, and environmental and other community benefits.

(4) Provide for community participation in plan development and implementation.

(5) Be consistent with, and assist in, compliance with total maximum daily load (TMDL) implementation plans and applicable national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permits.

(6) Be consistent with all applicable waste discharge permits.

(7) Upon development, be submitted to any applicable integrated regional water management group. Upon receipt, the integrated regional water management group shall incorporate the stormwater resource plan into its integrated regional water management plan.

(8) Prioritize the use of lands or easements in public ownership for stormwater and dry weather runoff projects.

(c) The proposed or adopted plan shall meet the standards outlined in this section. The plan need not be referred to as a “stormwater resource plan.” Existing planning documents may be utilized as a functionally equivalent plan, including, but not limited to, watershed management plans, integrated resource plans, urban water management plans, or similar plans. If a planning document does not meet the standards of this section, a collection of local and regional plans may constitute a functional equivalent, if the plans collectively meet all of the requirements of this part.

(d) An entity developing a stormwater resource plan shall identify in the plan all of the following:

(1) Opportunities to augment local water supply through groundwater recharge or storage for beneficial use of stormwater and dry weather runoff.

(2) Opportunities for source control for both pollution and stormwater and dry weather runoff volume, onsite and local infiltration, and use of stormwater and dry weather runoff.

(3) Projects to reestablish natural water drainage treatment and infiltration systems, or mimic natural system functions to the maximum extent feasible.

(4) Opportunities to develop, restore, or enhance habitat and open space through stormwater and dry weather runoff management, including wetlands, riverside habitats, parkways, and parks.

(5) Opportunities to use existing publicly owned lands and easements, including, but not limited to, parks, public open space, community gardens, farm and agricultural preserves, schoolsites, and government office buildings and complexes, to capture, clean, store, and use stormwater and dry weather runoff either onsite or offsite.

(6) Design criteria and best management practices to prevent stormwater and dry weather runoff pollution and increase effective stormwater and dry weather runoff management for new and upgraded infrastructure and residential, commercial, industrial, and public development. These design criteria and best management practices shall accomplish all of the following:

(A) Reduce effective impermeability within a watershed by creating permeable surfaces and directing stormwater and dry weather runoff to permeable surfaces, retention basins, cisterns, and other storage for beneficial use.

(B) Increase water storage for beneficial use through a variety of onsite storage techniques.

(C) Increase groundwater supplies through infiltration, where appropriate and feasible.

(D) Support low-impact development for new and upgraded infrastructure and development using low-impact techniques.

(7) Activities that generate or contribute to the pollution of stormwater or dry weather runoff, or that impair the effective beneficial use of stormwater or dry weather runoff.

(8) Projects and programs to ensure the effective implementation of the stormwater resource plan pursuant to this part and achieve multiple benefits. These projects and programs shall include the development of appropriate decision support tools and the data necessary to use the decision support tools.

(9) Ordinances or other mechanisms necessary to ensure the effective implementation of the stormwater resource plan pursuant to this part.

(e) A stormwater resource plan shall use measurable factors to identify, quantify, and prioritize potential stormwater and dry weather runoff capture projects.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 555, Sec. 3. (SB 985) Effective January 1, 2015.)


text:
(a) This part does not interfere with or prevent the exercise of authority by a public agency to carry out its programs, projects, or responsibilities.

(b) This part does not affect requirements imposed under any other law.

(c) (1) The development of a stormwater resource plan and compliance with this part in accordance with Section 10565 shall be required to receive grants for stormwater and dry weather runoff capture projects from a bond act approved by the voters after January 1, 2014.

(2) This subdivision does not apply to either of the following:

(A) Funds provided for the purpose of developing a stormwater resource plan.

(B) A grant for a disadvantaged community, as defined in Section 79505.5, with a population of 20,000 or less, and that is not a copermittee for a municipal separate stormwater system national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permit issued to a municipality with a population greater than 20,000.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 555, Sec. 4. (SB 985) Effective January 1, 2015.)


text: For purposes of this part, “low-impact development” means new development or redevelopment projects that employ natural and constructed features that reduce the rate of stormwater runoff, filter out pollutants, facilitate stormwater storage onsite, infiltrate stormwater into the ground to replenish groundwater supplies, or improve the quality of receiving groundwater and surface water.


text:
By July 1, 2016, the board shall establish guidance for this part that shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

(a) Identifying types of local agencies and nongovernmental organizations that need to be consulted in developing a stormwater resource plan.

(b) Defining appropriate quantitative methods for identifying and prioritizing opportunities for stormwater and dry weather runoff capture projects.

(c) Defining the appropriate geographic scale of watersheds for stormwater resource planning.

(d) Other guidance the board deems appropriate to achieve the objectives of this part.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 555, Sec. 5. (SB 985) Effective January 1, 2015.)


text: This part shall be known, and may be cited, as the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 537, Sec. 2. (AB 1750) Effective January 1, 2013.)

part: 2.4. Rainwater Capture Act of 2012

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 6. Miscellaneous > 2.4. Rainwater Capture Act of 2012


text:
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) As California has grown and developed, the amount of stormwater flowing off buildings, parking lots, roads, and other impervious surfaces into surface water streams, flood channels, and storm sewers has increased, thereby reducing the volume of water allowed to infiltrate into groundwater aquifers and increasing water and pollution flowing to the ocean and other surface waters. At the same time, recurring droughts and water shortages in California have made local water supply augmentation and water conservation efforts a priority.

(b) Historical patterns of precipitation are predicted to change, with two major implications for water supply. First, an increasing amount of California’s water is predicted to fall not as snow in the mountains, but as rain in other areas of the state. This will likely have a profound and transforming effect on California’s hydrologic cycle and much of that water will no longer be captured by California’s reservoirs, many of which are located to capture snowmelt. Second, runoff resulting from snowmelt is predicted to occur progressively earlier in the year, and reservoirs operated for flood control purposes must release water early in the season to protect against later storms, thereby reducing the amount of early season snowmelt that can be stored.

(c) Rainwater and stormwater, captured and properly managed, can contribute significantly to local water supplies by infiltrating and recharging groundwater aquifers, thereby increasing available supplies of drinking water. In addition, the onsite capture, storage, and use of rainwater for nonpotable uses significantly reduces demand for potable water, contributing to the statutory objective of a 20-percent reduction in urban per capita water use in California by December 31, 2020.

(d) Expanding opportunities for rainwater capture to augment water supply will require efforts at all levels, from individual landowners to state and local agencies and watershed managers.


text:
Nothing in this part shall be construed to do any of the following:

(a) Alter or impair any existing rights.

(b) Change existing water rights law.

(c) Authorize a landscape contractor to engage in or perform activities that require a license pursuant to the Professional Engineers Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 6700) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code).

(d) Impair the authority of the California Building Standards Commission to adopt and implement building standards for rainwater capture systems pursuant to existing law.

(e) Affect use of rainwater on agricultural lands.

(f) Impair the authority of a water supplier pursuant to Subchapter 1 of Chapter 5 of Division 1 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations.


text:
Solely for the purposes of this part, and unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions govern the construction of this part:

(a) “Developed or developing lands” means lands that have one or more of the characteristics described in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 56375.3 of the Government Code.

(b) “Rain barrel system” is a type of rainwater capture system that does not use electricity or a water pump and is not connected to or reliant on a potable water system.

(c) “Rainwater” means precipitation on any public or private parcel that has not entered an offsite storm drain system or channel, a flood control channel, or any other stream channel, and has not previously been put to beneficial use.

(d) “Rainwater capture system” means a facility designed to capture, retain, and store rainwater flowing off a building rooftop for subsequent onsite use.

(e) “Stormwater” has the same meaning as defined in Section 10561.5.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 555, Sec. 6. (SB 985) Effective January 1, 2015.)


text: Use of rainwater collected from rooftops does not require a water right permit pursuant to Section 1201.