IRRIGATION DISTRICTS

“Irrigation Districts are established in accordance with the IRRIGATION DISTRICT LAW, California Water Code §20500 et seq.

“Each district is governed by a board of directors of three or five members elected by the voters within the district. In certain cases, the Board of Supervisors can, by resolution appoint three directors for the district, each of whom must be a landowner within the district. Districts that have formed by reorganizations or consolidations may have seven, nine or eleven directors. 

“In addition to its general powers, an Irrigation District has the following powers provided by statute: (Numerical references are to sections of the Water Code)

• Furnish water in the district for any beneficial use, including fire protection purposes (§22075; 22077). 
• Control, distribute, store, spread, sink, treat, purify, recapture and salvage anywater (including but not limited to sewage waters) for the beneficial use of the district or its inhabitants or the owners of rights to waters therein (§22078). 
• Provide any drainage necessary by reason of irrigation provided for by the district (§22095). 
• Acquire, lease and operate plants for generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electric power (§22115).
• Provide for, maintain and operate works within or without the district to protect land and property within the district from damage by flood or overflow (§22160).
• Acquire, construct, maintain and operate facilities for the collection and disposal of sewage subject to approval by a majority of the voters of the district(§22170; 22176).
• Fix and collect charges for any service furnished by the district including sale of water (with standby charges), connections to new pipelines or extensions of existing pipelines, use of water for groundwater recharge, use of water for power purposes and sale of electric power (§22280).