SECTIONS 60220-60226 - California Statutes

WATER CODE

SECTION 60220-60226

60220. A district may do any act necessary to replenish the ground
water of said district.

60221. Without being limited to the following enumerations, a
district may, among other things but only for the purposes of
replenishing the groundwater supplies within the district:
(a) Buy and sell water;
(b) Exchange water;
(c) Distribute water to persons in exchange for ceasing or
reducing ground water extractions;
(d) Spread, sink and inject water into the underground;
(e) Store, transport, recapture, recycle, purify, treat or
otherwise manage and control water for the beneficial use of persons
or property within the district.
(f) Build the necessary works to achieve ground water
replenishment.

60222. A district may take any action necessary to protect or
prevent interference with water, the quality thereof, or water rights
of persons or property within the district, subject to the
limitations contained in Section 60230.

60223. For the purposes of replenishing the ground water supplies
within the district, a district may do any act in order to put to
beneficial use any water under its control or management.

60224. For the purpose of protecting and preserving the groundwater
supplies within the district for beneficial uses, a district may
take any action, within the district, including, but not limited to,
capital expenditures and legal actions, which in the discretion of
the board is necessary or desirable to accomplish any of the
following:
(a) Prevent contaminants from entering the groundwater supplies of
the district, whether or not the threat is immediate.
(b) Remove contaminants from the groundwater supplies of the
district.
(c) Determine the existence, extent, and location of contaminants
in, or which may enter, the groundwater supplies of the district.
(d) Determine persons, whether natural persons or public entities,
responsible for those contaminants.
(e) Perform or obtain engineering, hydrologic, and scientific
studies for any of the foregoing purposes.

60225. A district may take any action outside the district,
including, but not limited to, those set forth in Section 60224,
provided the board finds both of the following:
(a) The action is reasonably necessary to protect groundwater
supplies within the district.
(b) There is a direct, material relationship between the
groundwater supply where the action is to be taken and the
groundwater supply within the district.

60226. A district may sue and recover the amount of any district
expenditures under Section 60224 from the person or persons
responsible for the contaminants causing the expenditures. In
proceeding under any state or federal law, a district may recover
those expenses from responsible persons and governmental insurance
funds. In any action the district, if successful, may recover
reasonable attorney's fees and court costs, as determined by the
court. The right or power to recover damages shall not be deemed an
adequate remedy at law precluding use of injunctive relief under this
section or any other provision of this division or any other
statute. In any action for injunctive relief relating to
contaminants, no bond shall be required of a district as a condition
to granting a preliminary injunction.