ARTICLE 3. Water Shortages [71640. - 71644.]

Cal. Water Code - WAT 3.

in effect

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 71640. Section 71640.

A district may restrict the use of district water during any emergency caused by drought, or other threatened or existing water shortage, and may prohibit the wastage of district water or the use of district water during such periods for any purpose other than household uses or such other restricted uses as the district determines to be necessary. A district may also prohibit use of district water during such periods for specific uses which it finds to be nonessential.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 71641. Section 71641.

A district may prescribe and define by ordinance the restrictions, prohibitions, and exclusions referred to in Section 71640. Such an ordinance is effective upon adoption; but, within 10 days after its adoption, the ordinance shall be published pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code in full in a newspaper of general circulation which is printed, published, and circulated in the district. If there is no such newspaper the ordinance shall be posted within 10 days after its adoption in three public places within the district.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 71642. Section 71642.

A finding by the board upon the existence, threat, or duration of an emergency or shortage, or upon the matter of necessity or of any other matter or condition referred to in Section 71640, shall be made by resolution or ordinance. The finding is prima facie evidence of the fact or matter so found, and such fact or matter shall be presumed to continue unchanged unless and until a contrary finding is made by the board by resolution or ordinance.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 71643. Section 71643.

The finding made by the board pursuant to Section 71642 shall be received in evidence in any civil or criminal proceeding in which it may be offered, and shall be proof and evidence of the fact or matter found until rebutted or overcome by other sufficient evidence received in such proceeding. A copy of any resolution or ordinance setting forth such finding shall, when certified by the secretary of the district, be evidence that the finding was made by the district as shown by the resolution or ordinance and certification.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 71644. Section 71644.

From and after the publication or posting of any ordinance pursuant to Section 71641, and until the ordinance has been repealed or the emergency or threatened emergency has ceased, it is a misdemeanor for any person to use or apply water received from the district contrary to or in violation of any restriction or prohibition specified in the ordinance. Upon conviction thereof such person shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 30 days, or by fine not exceeding six hundred dollars ($600), or by both.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026