Article 2. Water Distribution of California Water Code >> Division 13. >> Part 5. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 2.

All water distributed for irrigation purposes, except as otherwise provided in this article, shall be apportioned ratably to each holder of title to land upon the basis of the ratio which the last assessment against his land for district purposes bears to the whole sum assessed in the district for district purposes.

Water sold to holders of title to land pursuant to Section 35470 shall be apportioned ratably to each holder of title to land making application therefor under such rules and regulations as the board may from time to time establish.

Where revenue bonds have been issued payable from revenues to be derived from the sale of water for the irrigation of land all water distributed for irrigation purposes shall be apportioned ratably to each holder of title to land making application therefor pursuant to rules and regulations established by the board.

As an alternative, and in addition, to other methods set forth in this article regarding the apportionment of water, a district may enter into long-term water service contracts with the holders of title to land for the apportionment of all or any part of its water supply. Long-term water service contracts may provide that all water charges provided for, when due, are a lien on the land in the nature of assessments and may be collected and enforced in the manner provided in this division for the collection and enforcement of assessments. Any lien pursuant to this section has the same force, effect, and priority as an assessment lien, if the contract is recorded in the office of the county recorder in the county in which the land is located.

A district may establish, print, and distribute equitable rules and regulations for the sale and distribution of water. A district may provide therein that water shall not be furnished to (1) persons who violate the rules and regulations or against whom there are delinquent water, standby, facility, or other charges, or penalties or interest on any such charges, or (2) land against which there is a delinquent assessment.

After equitable rules and regulations for the distribution of water have been published once a week for two weeks in a newspaper of general circulation published in each affected county, any violation thereof is a misdemeanor and the violator shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50) and not more than two hundred dollars ($200). When equitable rules and regulations for the distribution of water are amended, the district may publish a summary of the amendments to the rules and regulations with an Internet address and a physical location where the complete text of the amended rules and regulations may be viewed.

If its board deems it to be for the best interests of the district, a district may enter into a contract for the lease, sale, or use of any surplus water not then necessary for use within the district, for use either within or without the district.

Nothing in this article authorizes the sale of any water right.

No right in any water or water right owned by the district shall be acquired by use permitted under this article.

The board may grant to the owner or lessee of a right to the use of any water permission to store the water in any reservoir of the district or to carry it through any conduit of the district.