§ 226 Water Use Investigations

Water Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

Key Takeaways

•The government can check rivers, lakes, and other water sources to see how water is being used.
•They can look at both water on the surface (like rivers) and water underground (like wells).
•They keep track of who is taking water and how much they are using.
•They make sure water is shared fairly based on rules or court decisions.

Example

A farmer takes too much water from a river for their crops, and their neighbor downstream doesn’t have enough water left.

The government can step in to check how much water the farmer is using and make sure everyone gets their fair share, following the rules or what a court says.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 226 Water Use Investigations

The department, either independently or in co-operation with any person or any county, state, federal, or other agency, may do any of the following: (a) Conduct investigations of all or any portion of any stream, stream system, lake or other body of water. (b) Investigate either or both surface and underground water conditions. (c) Collect records of diversion and use of water. (d) Supervise distribution of water in accordance with agreements and court orders therefor. (e) Conduct investigations of the rate of use of water for various purposes and considering various soil conditions. (Amended by Stats. 1959, Ch. 2090.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

investigations stream lake surface and underground water conditions diversion and use of water distribution of water rate of use of water

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Water Code. Section 226.

§ 226 Water Use Investigations

Water Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

§ 226 Water Use Investigations

Key Takeaways

•The government can check rivers, lakes, and other water sources to see how water is being used.
•They can look at both water on the surface (like rivers) and water underground (like wells).
•They keep track of who is taking water and how much they are using.
•They make sure water is shared fairly based on rules or court decisions.

Example

A farmer takes too much water from a river for their crops, and their neighbor downstream doesn’t have enough water left.

The government can step in to check how much water the farmer is using and make sure everyone gets their fair share, following the rules or what a court says.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 226 Water Use Investigations

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

investigations stream lake surface and underground water conditions diversion and use of water distribution of water rate of use of water

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Water Code. Section 226.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References