ARTICLE 2. Joint Occupancy and Use [1775. - 1782.]

Cal. Water Code - WAT 2.

in effect

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 1775. Section 1775.

If at any time it appears to the board, after a hearing of the persons interested and an investigation, that the full capacity of the works built or constructed, or being built or constructed, under an appropriation of water made pursuant to the Water Commission Act or this code has not developed or cannot develop the full capacity of the stream at the point where the works have been or are being built or constructed, and that the holder of the appropriation will not or cannot, within a period deemed to be reasonable by the board, develop the stream at that point to such capacity as the board deems to be required by the public good, the board may permit the joint occupancy and use, with the holder of the appropriation, to the extent necessary to develop the stream to its full capacity or to such portion of its capacity as may appear to the board to be advisable, by any persons applying therefor, of any such works.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 1776. Section 1776.

The board shall take into consideration the reasonable cost of the original and new work, the good faith of the applicant, the market for water or power to be supplied by the original and the new work, and the income or use that may be required to provide fair and reasonable returns upon such cost.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 1777. Section 1777.

The applicant shall be required to pay to the person owning the works a pro rata portion of the total cost of the old and the new works.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 1778. Section 1778.

If the water is used or to be used for irrigation or domestic purposes, the pro rata portion of the cost shall be based upon the proportion of the water used by the original and the subsequent users of the works.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 1779. Section 1779.

If the water is used or to be used for the generation of power, the pro rata portion of the cost shall be based upon the relative amount of power capable of being developed by the original and the new works.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 1780. Section 1780.

If a portion of the water is used or to be used for irrigation and another portion is used or to be used for the generation of power, the applicant shall pay to the person owning the works a pro rata portion of the total cost of the old and new works based upon the proportion of the relative amount of water used by each joint occupant and the income derived by each from the joint occupancy.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 1781. Section 1781.

If any of the water is used or to be used for purposes other than those specified in this article, the applicant shall pay to the person owning the works such a pro rata portion of the total cost of the old and new works as appears to the board to be just and equitable.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 1782. Section 1782.

The applicant shall also pay a proper pro rata share, based as above provided in this article, of the cost of maintaining the works, on and after beginning the occupancy and use thereof.

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