Article 6 - Sewage Disposal

California Water Code — §§ 22170-22180

Sections (11)

Amended by Stats. 1971, Ch. 340.

This article applies only if an election is called and held as provided in this article and a majority of the votes cast on the proposal are “Yes.”

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 303, Sec. 42. (AB 1512) Effective January 1, 2026.

The board may in its discretion by resolution call an election to be held in the entire district or only in that portion of the district proposed to be served to determine whether the district should provide for sewage disposal service. The ballots shall contain the following statement of the proposal:

“Shall the ____ Irrigation District provide for sewage disposal, or acquire existing sewage disposal facilities, within that portion of its boundaries as hereinafter described not now provided with adequate sewage collection and disposal works.”

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the ballots of any district which is required to obtain the approval of the local agency

formation commission before it may provide sewage disposal shall contain the following statement of the proposal:

“Shall the ____ Irrigation District provide for sewage disposal, or acquire existing sewage disposal facilities, within that portion of the district, and in the manner, set forth in the proposed application to the ____ Local Agency Formation Commission, dated ____, a copy of which application is on file in the office of the district.”

To the right of or below the proposal, the words “Yes” and “No” shall be printed on separate lines, with voting targets.

Repealed and added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 303, Sec. 44. (AB 1512) Effective January 1, 2026.

The ballots shall include instructions to voters that are consistent with the requirements of Section 13204 of the Elections Code.

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 303, Sec. 45. (AB 1512) Effective January 1, 2026.

The voters shall vote for or against the proposal by completely selecting the voting target next to either “Yes” or “No,” respectively.

Amended by Stats. 1972, Ch. 199.

Notice of the election shall specify the purpose of the election and the day, hours, and polling places in each precinct for holding the election, and shall be posted in three public places in each election precinct in the area of the district in which the election is to be held for at least 20 days and published in a newspaper published in the county once a week for at least three successive weeks.

Amended by Stats. 1965, Ch. 2019.

The election shall be held and the result determined and declared as nearly as practicable in conformity with general district elections.

Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 420.

A district, whether heretofore or hereafter formed, may provide for the acquisition, construction, maintenance and operation of sewage collection and disposal mains, and sewage treatment and disposal facilities for all or any portion of the lands within its boundaries.

Amended by Stats. 1972, Ch. 199.

A district may charge reasonable connection charges to defray in whole or in part the cost of providing sewage disposal service and may levy and collect annual or semiannual charges to cover the cost of maintenance and operation of the sewage disposal system. Any charges authorized by this section shall be made only within the area to be served. If the sewage disposal service is provided to only a portion of the district, the area so served shall bear all costs of the maintenance, operation, and administration of such service.

Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 420.

All provisions of the California Irrigation District Act, and of all other acts amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto, applying to irrigation shall, as codified in this division, also be so construed and enforced as to apply to sewage disposal.

Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 420.

The officers, agents, and employees of districts have the same powers, duties, and liabilities respecting sewage disposal and the acquisition, operation, and control relating to it as they have respecting irrigation in districts.

Added by Stats. 1963, Ch. 420.

The board and the officers, agents, and employees of districts shall do all necessary and proper acts for the construction and operation of its sewage collection and disposal system.