What Is in California’s Water Code?

The California Water Code is one of 29 Codes that contain state statutes. State water laws play a prominent role in both statewide and regional water allocations and usage.

The Water Code contains 31 Divisions. There are also numerous parts, chapters, and articles containing hundreds of code sections, or individual statutes. The following is a broad overview of the Water Code.

GENERAL PROVISIONS [Sections 1 – 26]

There are 27 Sections.

DIVISION 1. GENERAL STATE POWERS OVER WATER [Sections 100 – 540]

There are 16 Chapters and 30 Articles.

DIVISION 2. WATER [Sections 1000 – 5976]

There are 10 Parts, 35 Chapters, and 94 Articles.

DIVISION 3. DAMS AND RESERVOIRS [Sections 6000 – 6612]

There are 3 Parts, 10 Chapters, and 20 Articles.

DIVISION 4. WELLS, PUMPING PLANTS, CONDUITS AND STREAMS [Sections 7000 – 7075]

There are 6 Chapters and 3 Articles.

DIVISION 5. FLOOD CONTROL [Sections 8000 – 9651]

There are 8 Parts, 30 Chapters, and 75 Articles.

DIVISION 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES [Sections 10000 – 12999]

There are 35 Parts, 97 Chapters, and 132 Articles.

DIVISION 7. WATER QUALITY [Sections 13000 – 16104]

There are 45 Chapters and 42 Articles.

DIVISION 10. FINANCIAL SUPERVISION OF DISTRICTS [Sections 20200 – 20220]

There are 2 Chapters.

DIVISION 11. IRRIGATION DISTRICTS [Sections 20500 – 29978]

There are 13 Parts, 56 Chapters, and 134 Articles.

DIVISION 12. COUNTY WATER DISTRICTS [Sections 30000 – 33901]

There are 12 Parts, 35 Chapters, and 46 Articles.

DIVISION 13. CALIFORNIA WATER DISTRICTS [Sections 34000 – 38501]

There are 13 Parts, 75 Chapters, and 59 Articles.

DIVISION 14. CALIFORNIA WATER STORAGE DISTRICT LAW [Sections 39000 – 48401]

There are 10 Parts, 60 Chapters, and 96 Articles.

DIVISION 15. RECLAMATION DISTRICTS [Sections 50000 – 53901]

There are 11 Parts, 39 Chapters, and 75 Articles.

DIVISION 16. COUNTY WATERWORKS DISTRICTS [Sections 55000 – 55991]

There are 6 Parts, 17 Chapters, 9 Articles.

DIVISION 17. DRAINAGE [Sections 56000 – 56130]

There is 1 Part and 10 Chapters.

DIVISION 18. WATER REPLENISHMENT DISTRICTS [Sections 60000 – 60622]

There are 8 Parts and 30 Chapters.

DIVISION 19. LEVEE DISTRICTS [Sections 70000 – 70272]

There is 1 Part, 8 Chapters, 3 Articles.

DIVISION 20. MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICTS [Sections 71000 – 73001]

There are 15 Parts, 54 Chapters, 53 Articles.

DIVISION 20.5. WHOLESALE REGIONAL WATER SYSTEM SECURITY AND RELIABILITY ACT [Sections 73500 – 73514]

There are 14 Sections.

DIVISION 21. WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS [Sections 74000 – 76501]

There are 11 Parts, 46 Chapters, 65 Articles.

DIVISION 24. SAFE, CLEAN, RELIABLE WATER SUPPLY ACT [Sections 78500 – 78702]

There are 10 Chapters and 22 Articles.

DIVISION 26. SAFE DRINKING WATER, CLEAN WATER, WATERSHED PROTECTION, AND FLOOD PROTECTION ACT [Sections 79000 – 79222]

There are 10 Chapters and 36 Articles.

DIVISION 26.5. WATER SECURITY, CLEAN DRINKING WATER, COASTAL AND BEACH PROTECTION ACT OF 2002 [Sections 79500 – 79591]

There are 12 Chapters.

DIVISION 26.7. Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 [Sections 79700 – 79798]

There are 12 Chapters.

DIVISION 27. PURCHASE AND SALE OF ELECTRIC POWER [Sections 80000 – 80270]

There are 6 Chapters and 1 Article.

DIVISION 28. WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND RECOVERY ACT OF 2019 [Sections 80500 – 80550]

There are 4 Chapters.

DIVISION 30. CalConserve Water Use Efficiency Revolving Loan Program [Sections 81000 – 81046]

There are 3 Parts.

DIVISION 31. BAY AREA WATER SUPPLY AND CONSERVATION AGENCY [Sections 81300 – 81461]

There are 7 Chapters and 11 Articles.

DIVISION 31.7. SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA REGIONAL WATER SYSTEM FINANCING AUTHORITY [Sections 81600 – 81674]

There are 5 Chapters and 7 Articles.

DIVISION 33. INTEGRATED WATER SUPPLY AND FLOOD PROTECTION PLANNING, DESIGN, AND IMPLEMENTATION [Sections 83000 – 83002.7]

There are 6 Sections.

DIVISION 35. SACRAMENTO-SAN JOAQUIN DELTA REFORM ACT OF 2009 [Sections 85000 – 85350]

There are 4 Parts and 12 Chapters.