Unless the context otherwise requires, the provisions of this article govern the construction of this chapter.
Water MeasurementDefinitions
Section § 510
This section explains that, unless there's a specific reason to interpret it differently, the rules outlined in this article are used to understand how to interpret the rest of the chapter.
interpretation rules article provisions contextual requirement
Section § 511
This law means that when a word is defined in a particular way, any variations of that word will carry the same definition.
The definition of a word applies to any of its variants.
word definition variants same definition
Section § 512
This section defines a 'water purveyor' as anyone who provides water services to another person.
“Water purveyor” means any person who furnishes water service to another person.
water purveyor water service provider providing water
Section § 513
This section defines the term 'person' to include not just individuals, but also businesses, organizations, partnerships, corporations, and any type of government body.
“Person” means any individual, firm, association, partnership, corporation, or public entity of any kind.
definition of person individual firm
Section § 514
This section defines what is meant by the term “public entity.” It includes a wide range of government-related organizations within California, such as cities, counties, districts, boards, and many types of departments or agencies. Basically, any governmental body or subdivision at the state level or below is considered a public entity.
“Public entity” includes a city, county, city and county, whether general law or chartered, a district, board, commission, bureau, authority, agency, department, division, section, any other political subdivision of the state of any kind, or the state.
public entity definition government organizations city
Section § 515
This law defines 'water service' as providing water, through sale, lease, rental, or delivery, for people to use beneficially. This includes making contracts for such activities but does not cover bottled water.
“Water service” means the sale, lease, rental, furnishing, or delivery of water for beneficial use, and includes, but is not limited to, contracting for that sale, lease, rental, furnishing, or delivery of water, except bottled water.
water service sale of water lease of water
Section § 516
This section defines a 'water meter' as any device or facility that's capable of measuring how much water flows through it.
“Water meter” includes any suitable water measuring device or facility which measures or determines the volumetric flow of water.
water meter water measuring device volumetric flow
Section § 517
This law defines what a 'submeter' is. A submeter is a device that tracks the water usage of individual apartments or rental units within larger residential or mixed-use buildings. These structures need to have at least two housing units. The owner of the building or their representative runs these meters.
“Submeter” means a device that measures water consumption of an individual rental unit within a multiunit residential structure or mixed-use residential and commercial structure, and that is owned and operated by the owner of the structure or the owner’s agent. As used in this section, “multiunit residential structure” and “mixed-use residential and commercial structure” mean real property containing two or more dwelling units.
submeter water consumption individual rental unit
