Chapter 1. Purposes And Powers of California Water Code >> Division 18. >> Part 4. >> Chapter 1.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.