Mandatory Consolidation or Extension of Service for Disadvantaged Communities¹

Effective June 24, 2015, Senate Bill 88 (Statutes 2015, Chapter 27) added sections 116680-116684 to the California Health and Safety Code, allowing the State Water Board to require certain water systems that consistently fail to provide safe drinking water to consolidate with, or receive an extension of service from, another public water system. The consolidation can be physical or managerial. Although for many years the Drinking Water program has encouraged -- and will continue to encourage -- voluntary consolidations of public water systems, the new authority will allow it to mandate consolidation of water systems where appropriate. Please note that extension of service to domestic wells is authorized only when agreed to by the well owner. The changes to the Health and Safety Code give the Division of Drinking Water authority to mandate such consolidations or extension of service following a series of specific actions. The State Water Board’s Division of Drinking Water will issue letters to water systems to consolidate with, or seek an extension of service, from a public water system. The recipients of such letters have up to six months from the date the letter is issued to voluntarily consolidate with, or receive extension of service from, a public water system. As letters to public water systems are issued, they are made publicly available on this resource page. See the links to the letters below.

Frequently Asked Questions on Mandatory Consolidation or Extension of Service for Public Water Systems

 

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¹As defined in SB 88
²Meeting completed or scheduled
³Voluntary negotiation period extended due to City's 1,2,3-TCP violation.
⁴As an interim measure Soults MWC is purchasing water from the City of Tulare through a wholesale agreement.