ARTICLE 11. Crimes and Penalties [116725. - 116751.]

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC 11.

in effect

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 116725. Section 116725.

(a) Any person who knowingly makes any false statement or representation in any application, record, report, or other document submitted, maintained, or used for purposes of compliance with this chapter, may be liable, as determined by the court, for a civil penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each separate violation or, for continuing violations, for each day that violation continues. (b) Any person who violates a citation schedule of compliance for a primary drinking water standard or any order regarding a primary drinking water standard or the requirement that a reliable and adequate supply of pure, wholesome, healthful, and potable water be provided may be liable, as determined by the court, for a civil penalty not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each separate violation or, for continuing violations, for each day that violation continues. (c) Any person who violates any order, other than one specified in subdivision (b), issued pursuant to this chapter may be liable, as determined by the court, for a civil penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each separate violation or, for continuing violations, for each day that violation continues. (d) Any person who operates a public water system without a permit issued by the department pursuant to this chapter may be liable, as determined by the court, for a civil penalty not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each separate violation or, for continuing violations, for each day that violation continues. (e) Each civil penalty imposed for any separate violation pursuant to this section shall be separate and in addition to any other civil penalty imposed pursuant to this section or any other provision of law.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 116730. Section 116730.

(a) Any person who knowingly does any of the following acts may, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each day of violation, by imprisonment in a county jail not to exceed one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment: (1) Makes any false statement or representation in any application, record, report, or other document submitted, maintained, or used for the purposes of compliance with this chapter. (2) Has in his or her possession any record required to be maintained pursuant to this chapter that has been altered or concealed. (3) Destroys, alters, or conceals any record required to be maintained pursuant to this chapter. (4) Withholds information regarding an imminent and substantial danger to the public health or safety when the information has been requested by the department in writing and is required to carry out the department’s responsibilities pursuant to this chapter in response to an imminent and substantial danger. (5) Violates an order issued by the department pursuant to this chapter that has a substantial probability of presenting an imminent danger to the health of persons. (6) Operates a public water system without a permit issued by the department pursuant to this chapter. (b) A second or subsequent violation of subdivision (a) is punishable by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16, 20, or 24 months or imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, by a fine of not less than two thousand dollars ($2,000) or more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per day of violation, or by both that imprisonment and fine.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 116735. Section 116735.

(a) (1) In order to carry out the purposes of this chapter, a duly authorized representative of the state board may, at a reasonable hour of the day, do any of the following: (A) Enter and inspect a public water system or a place where the public water system records are stored, kept, or maintained. (B) Inspect and copy records, reports, test results, or other information required to carry out this chapter. (C) Set up and maintain monitoring equipment for purposes of assessing compliance with this chapter. (D) Obtain samples of the water supply. (E) Photograph a portion of the system, activity, or a sample taken. (2) An owner of a public water system shall provide to the state board reports, test results, and other information required to carry out this chapter within 15 business days of receiving a request for those records from a duly authorized representative of the state board. (b) The state board shall inspect each public water system as follows: (1) A system with any surface water source with treatment shall be inspected annually. (2) A system with any groundwater source subject to treatment with only groundwater sources shall be inspected biennially. (3) A system with only groundwater sources not subject to treatment shall be inspected every three years. (c) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the state board from inspecting public water systems on a more frequent basis. An opportunity shall be provided for a representative of the public water system to accompany the representative of the state board during the inspection of the water system. (d) It shall be a misdemeanor for a person to prevent, interfere with, or attempt to impede in any way a duly authorized representative of the state board from undertaking the activities authorized by paragraph (1) of subdivision (a). A person who violates paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) shall be subject to the provisions of Section 116730, as applicable.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 116740. Section 116740.

If any person fails to pay an assessment of a civil penalty after it has become a final and unappealable order, the Attorney General or the district attorney shall recover the amount for which the person is liable in the superior court. In this action, the validity and appropriateness of the final order imposing the civil penalty shall not be subject to review.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 116745. Section 116745.

The remedies provided by this chapter are cumulative and shall not be construed as restricting any remedy, provisional or otherwise, provided by law for the benefit of any party, and no judgment under this chapter shall preclude any party from obtaining additional relief based upon the same facts.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 116750. Section 116750.

(a) Any person who tampers with a public water system is guilty of a felony and shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for three, four, or five years, subject to a fine not to exceed thirty thousand dollars ($30,000), or both. (b) Any person who tampers with or makes a threat to tamper with a public water system is guilty of a felony and shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16 months, two, or three years, subject to a fine not to exceed twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), or both. (c) For purposes of this section, the term “tamper” means either of the following: (1) To introduce a contaminant into a public water system with the intention of harming persons. (2) To otherwise interfere with the operation of a public water system with the intention of harming persons.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 116751. Section 116751.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife shall not introduce a poison to a drinking water supply for purposes of fisheries management unless the state board determines that the activity will not have a permanent adverse impact on the quality of the drinking water supply or wells connected to the drinking water supply. In making this determination, the state board shall evaluate the short- and long-term health effects of the poison in drinking water, ensure that an alternative supply of drinking water is provided to the users of the drinking water supply while the activity takes place, and, in cooperation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, develop and implement a monitoring program to ensure that no detectable residuals of the poison, breakdown products, and other components of the poison formulation remain in the drinking water supply or adjoining wells after the activity is completed.

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