Unless the context otherwise requires, the provisions of this article shall govern the construction of this part.
In GeneralDefinitions
Section § 75500
This section says that the rules in this article are the ones to follow when interpreting this part, unless it's clear that a different meaning is intended.
rule interpretation context requirement construction guidelines
Section § 75501
This section of the law defines the terms “person” and “operator” to include any public or private entity, such as government agencies, businesses, partnerships, limited liability companies, and individuals or groups. It further specifies that “owner” or “operator” includes the person assessed for a water-producing facility by the county assessor or, if the facility isn't assessed separately, the landowner where the facility is located.
“Person” or “operator” means public agencies, federal, state, and local, private corporations, firms, partnerships, limited liability companies, individuals, or groups of individuals, whether legally organized or not. “Owner” or “operator” also means the person to whom a water-producing facility is assessed by the county assessor of an affected county, or, if not separately assessed, the person who owns the land upon which a water-producing facility is located.
water-producing facility public agencies private corporations
Section § 75502
Ground water refers to all water found beneath the surface of the earth. However, it specifically excludes water that is extracted during oil and gas production, mining operations, construction activities, or from natural springs that flow due to gravity or pressure.
“Ground water” means all water beneath the earth’s surface, but does not include water which is produced with oil in the production of oil and gas, or in a bona fide mining operation, or during construction operations, or from gravity or artesian springs.
ground water definition subsurface water exclusion oil production
Section § 75502.5
This law defines what 'groundwater' means specifically for the United Water Conservation District. Groundwater includes all water beneath the ground except water that comes with oil during the production of oil and gas, is from mining operations, construction work, or from natural springs. However, it does include water from artesian wells.
Notwithstanding Sections 75500 and 75502, for purposes of the United Water Conservation District, “groundwater” means all water beneath the earth’s surface, but does not include water that is produced with oil in the production of oil and gas, in a bona fide mining operation, during construction operations, or from gravity or natural springs. For the purpose of this section, “groundwater” includes water produced from artesian wells.
groundwater definition United Water Conservation District artesian wells
Section § 75503
This law defines the terms "production" or "producing" as the extraction of ground water, typically through pumping but it could involve other methods as well.
“Production” or “producing” means the act of extracting ground water by pumping or otherwise.
groundwater extraction water pumping water production
Section § 75504
This law defines a 'water-producing facility' as any tool or technique used to extract water from underground sources within a certain district. These facilities can be mechanical devices or any other methods for getting water from groundwater supplies.
“Water-producing facility” means any device or method, mechanical or otherwise, for the production of water from the ground water supplies within the district.
water-producing facility groundwater extraction groundwater supplies
Section § 75505
"Accumulated overdraft" refers to the water needed to be added back to groundwater basins to stop saltwater from moving into fresh groundwater areas or to stop the land from sinking in specific parts of the district. This amount is decided by the board periodically.
“Accumulated overdraft” means the amount of water necessary to be replaced in the intake areas of the ground water basins within the district or any zone or zones thereof to prevent the landward movement of salt water into the fresh ground water body, or to prevent subsidence of the land within the district or any zone or zones thereof, as determined by the board from time to time.
accumulated overdraft groundwater basins saltwater intrusion
Section § 75506
This law defines "annual overdraft" as the amount of water taken from groundwater supplies that is more than what naturally replenishes in a year within a specific district or zone. The board is responsible for determining this amount during each water year.
“Annual overdraft” means the amount, determined by the board, by which the production of water from ground water supplies within the district or any zone or zones thereof during the water year exceeds the natural replenishment of such ground water supplies in such water year.
annual overdraft groundwater supplies natural replenishment
Section § 75507
This section defines terms related to the water year for legal and administrative purposes. A "water year" runs from July 1st of one year to June 30th of the next. The "current water year" is when groundwater conditions are evaluated, hearings are held, and decisions are made about setting up zones and charging for groundwater use. The "preceding water year" is the year before the current year, and the "ensuing water year" is the year after.
(a)CA Water Code § 75507(a) “Water year” means July 1st of one calendar year to June 30th of the following calendar year.
(b)CA Water Code § 75507(b) “Current water year” means the water year in which the investigation and report on the ground water conditions of the district is made, the hearing thereon held, and the determination is made by the board as to whether a zone or zones should be established and a ground water charge levied therein.
(c)CA Water Code § 75507(c) “Preceding water year” means the water year immediately preceding the current water year.
(d)CA Water Code § 75507(d) “Ensuing water year” means the water year immediately following the current water year.
water year current water year groundwater conditions
Section § 75508
This law defines "agricultural water" specifically as water that is initially used on land for growing crops or raising livestock intended for sale.
“Agricultural water” means water first used on lands in the production of plant crops or livestock for market.
agricultural water water usage crop production
