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HomeWater CodeDiv. 6Pt. 2.2Ch. 4§ 10540 Regional Water Management Planning

§ 10540 Regional Water Management Planning

Water Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 10540 Regional Water Management Planning

This law lets groups in a region work together to make a big plan for managing water. The plan must cover things like making sure there's enough clean water, protecting rivers and lakes, and helping communities that don't have good water access.

Key Takeaways

  • •Groups can make a big water plan for their area.
  • •The plan must include things like water saving, clean water, and helping small towns.
  • •The plan can include other water rules, like farm water or city water plans.
  • •Making the plan doesn’t mean they have to pay for the projects.

Example

A group of cities and farms in a valley work together to make a water plan.

They include things like saving water for farms and homes, keeping rivers clean, and making sure small towns have safe drinking water. They don’t have to pay for the projects, just plan them.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 10540 Regional Water Management Planning

(a) A regional water management group may prepare and adopt an integrated regional water management plan in accordance with this part. (b) A regional water management group may coordinate its planning activities to address or incorporate all or part of any of the following actions of its members into its plan: (1) Groundwater management planning pursuant to Part 2.75 (commencing with Section 10750), groundwater sustainability planning pursuant to Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720), or other specific groundwater management authority. (2) Urban water management planning pursuant to Part 2.6 (commencing with Section 10610). (3) The preparation of a water supply assessment required pursuant to Part 2.10 (commencing with Section 10910). (4) Agricultural water management planning pursuant to Part 2.8 (commencing with Section 10800). (5) City and county general planning pursuant to Section 65350 of the Government Code. (6) Stormwater resource planning that is undertaken pursuant to Part 2.3 (commencing with Section 10560). (7) Other water resource management planning, including flood protection, watershed management planning, and multipurpose program planning. (c) At a minimum, all plans shall address all of the following: (1) Protection and improvement of water supply reliability, including identification of feasible agricultural and urban water use efficiency strategies. (2) Identification and consideration of the drinking water quality of communities within the area of the plan. (3) Protection and improvement of water quality within the area of the plan, consistent with the relevant basin plan. (4) Identification of any significant threats to groundwater resources from overdrafting. (5) Protection, restoration, and improvement of stewardship of aquatic, riparian, and watershed resources within the region. (6) Protection of groundwater resources from contamination. (7) Identification and consideration of the water-related needs of disadvantaged communities and owners and occupants of affordable housing, including the removal and replacement of nonfunctional turf, as defined in Section 10608.12, in the area within the boundaries of the plan. (d) This section does not obligate a local agency to fund the implementation of any project or program. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 849, Sec. 2. (AB 1572) Effective January 1, 2024.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

managementprotectionconsiderationcontaminationidentificationliabilitywatersquality

Related Statutes

  • § 13201 Regional Water Board Appointments
  • § 13269 Discharge Waiver Authority
  • § 10541 Regional Water Management Guidelines
  • § 12868 Federal Land Cost Sharing
  • § 13261 Reporting Fee Violations Penalty

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Water Code. Section 10540.
View Official Source