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HomeWater CodeDiv. 7Ch. 12.5§ 13959 Water Conservation Definitions

§ 13959 Water Conservation Definitions

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

§ 13959 Water Conservation Definitions

Key Takeaways

  • •This law is about keeping water clean and saving water in California.
  • •It creates a special group (the 'Committee') and uses a fund (the 'State Clean Water and Water Conservation Fund') to pay for projects that clean or save water.
  • •Projects must be really important and follow rules to get money from this fund.
  • •Some projects can get money even if the federal government won’t help pay for them.

Example

A small town wants to build a new system to clean dirty water before it goes into a river.

If the town’s project is super important and follows all the water rules, it can ask the state for money from the special fund to help build it. The state will check if the project is a top priority and if it meets all the rules before giving money.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 13959 Water Conservation Definitions

As used in this chapter, and for the purposes of this chapter as used in the State General Obligation Bond Law, the following words shall have the following meanings: (a) “Committee” means the Clean Water and Water Conservation Finance Committee created by Section 13960. (b) “Board” means the State Water Resources Control Board. (c) “Fund” means the State Clean Water and Water Conservation Fund. (d) “Municipality” shall have the same meaning as in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) and acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto and shall also include the state or any agency, department, or political subdivision thereof. (e) “Treatment works” shall have the same meaning as in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) and acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto, and shall also include such additional devices and systems as are necessary and proper to control water pollution, reclaim wastewater, or reduce use of and otherwise conserve water. (f) “Construction” means any one or more of the following: preliminary planning to determine the feasibility of treatment works, engineering, architectural, legal, fiscal, or economic investigations or studies, surveys, designs, plans, working drawings, specifications, procedures, or other necessary actions, erection, building, acquisition, alteration, remodeling, improvement, or extension of treatment works, or the inspection or supervision of any of the foregoing items. (g) “Eligible project” means a project for the construction of treatment works which is all of the following: (1) Eligible for federal assistance, whether or not federal funds are then available therefor; (2) Necessary to prevent water pollution; (3) Certified by the board as entitled to priority over other treatment works, and which complies with applicable water quality standards, policies and plans. (h) “Eligible state assisted project” means a project for the construction of treatment works which is all of the following: (1) Ineligible for federal assistance. (2) Necessary to prevent water pollution or feasible and cost effective for conservation or reclamation of water. (3) Certified by the board as entitled to priority over other treatment works and which complies with applicable water quality and other applicable federal or state standards, policies, and plans. (i) “Federal assistance” means funds available to a municipality either directly or through allocation by the state, from the federal government as grants for construction of treatment works, pursuant to Title II of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto. (Added by Stats. 1977, Ch. 1160. Approved in Proposition 2 at the June 6, 1978, election.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

CommitteeBoardFundMunicipalityTreatment worksConstructionEligible projectEligible state assisted projectFederal assistance

Related Statutes

  • § 13999.2 Clean Water Bond Definitions
  • § 12934 Water Resources Definitions
  • § 13476 Water Pollution Control Definitions
  • § 13815 Safe Drinking Water Definitions
  • § 13857 Safe Drinking Water Definitions

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Water Code. Section 13959.
View Official Source