ARTICLE 1. Definitions [75500. - 75508.]

Cal. Water Code - WAT 1.

in effect

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 75500. Section 75500.

Unless the context otherwise requires, the provisions of this article shall govern the construction of this part.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 75501. Section 75501.

“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.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 75502. Section 75502.

“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.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 75502.5. Section 75502.5.

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.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 75503. Section 75503.

“Production” or “producing” means the act of extracting ground water by pumping or otherwise.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 75504. Section 75504.

“Water-producing facility” means any device or method, mechanical or otherwise, for the production of water from the ground water supplies within the district.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 75505. Section 75505.

“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.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 75506. Section 75506.

“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.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 75507. Section 75507.

(a) “Water year” means the period beginning October 1 of one calendar year and ending September 30 of the following calendar year. (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) “Preceding water year” means the water year immediately preceding the current water year. (d) “Ensuing water year” means the water year immediately following the current water year.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 75508. Section 75508.

“Agricultural water” means water first used on lands in the production of plant crops or livestock for market.

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