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HomeWater CodeDiv. 6Pt. 2.7§ 10701 Local Agency Groundwater Definitions

§ 10701 Local Agency Groundwater Definitions

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

§ 10701 Local Agency Groundwater Definitions

This law defines what 'local agency' means and says that groundwater doesn't include water that comes up during things like oil drilling if that water is already controlled by other laws.

Key Takeaways

  • •A 'local agency' is like a city or county that makes local rules.
  • •Groundwater doesn't include water that comes up during mining or drilling if other laws already handle it.
  • •This law just explains what words mean—it doesn’t create new rules.

Example

A city wants to make rules about water under the ground.

The city is a 'local agency' under this law, but if water comes up while drilling for oil, the city can't make rules about it because other laws already cover that.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 10701 Local Agency Groundwater Definitions

(a) As used in this part, “local agency” means any city, county, district, agency, or other political subdivision of the state for the local performance of governmental or proprietary functions within limited boundaries. (b) As used in this part, “groundwater” and “groundwater resources” do not include those subsurface waters incidentally produced in connection with or as a result of natural resource extraction activities when the disposal of those subsurface waters is regulated by state or federal law. (Added by Stats. 1987, Ch. 472, Sec. 1.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

local agencygroundwatergroundwater resourcessubsurface watersnatural resource extraction activities

Related Statutes

  • § 10702 Groundwater Management Programs
  • § 10750.7 Groundwater Management Agreements
  • § 10535 Local Agency Definition
  • § 10548 Local Agency Powers Preserved
  • § 10707 Joint Powers Groundwater Agreements

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Water Code. Section 10701.
View Official Source