Water Partnerships Toolbox

This website is dedicated to providing a collection of tools that can be used for resource sharing between drinking water systems. It contains templates, guidelines, contacts, training and other information that may be applicable to many types of water partnerships, such as local resource sharing, consolidation and regionalization. Many of the templates below can provide a starting point for various types of agreements. However, a thorough review of all possible contractual issues and independent legal review is always recommended.

Find Water Systems Near You

• Drinking Water System Outreach Tool
  

  This website provides a map of the boundaries of public water systems. It is currently under development and does not include all public water systems, but is searchable by address or county.

• Drinking Water Watch
  

  All active and inactive public water systems in California are provided on this website as well as a contact phone number or address for the public water system. The listing can be filtered by county, but no map is provided.

If you are unable to find a public water system nearby, contact the District Engineer for additional support.

Collaboration Information and Templates

Mutual aid templates and guidance

• American Water Works Association: Utilities Helping Utilities
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Writing Guide for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Joint Power Authority regulations and Information

Joint Powers Agreement for public agencies (See Section 6500-6536 of the Government Code) and the Secretary of State's website. Section 6525 refers to mutual water companies combining with public water agencies.

Crafting Inter-local Water Agreements from University of North Carolina's Environmental Finance Center

Crafting Inter-local Water Agreements

Board Training, Asset Inventory and Rate Setting Training

Board Trainings, Asset Inventory and Rate Setting Trainings can be found on the Rural Community Assistance Corporation.

Funding and Funding Incentives for Consolidation and Regionalization

The Division of Financial Assistance (DFA) manages the State Water Resources Control Board's financial assistance programs. These programs offer low interest loans and grant funding for qualifying planning and construction projects.

General Funding Information

• General Funding Information 
• Funding Application Forms and Instructions 
• Guidelines for Consolidation Projects 
• Drinking Water Funding Intended Use Plan 
• 2019 Interest Rate and Disadvantaged Median Household Income Levels 
• American Community Survey - US Census Information for Median Household Income Estimates 
• Technical Assistance (TA) General Information 
• Technical Assistance (TA) Request Form 
• Emergency Drinking Water Funding Information 
• Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST) 
• How To Videos for Submitting a Project Using FAAST

Funding Incentives for Consolidation and Regionalization

Drinking Water Grants-Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Program – Fact Sheet

Other Funding Sources and Links to Funding Fair Dates

• California Financing Coordinating Committee Funding Fair 
• USDA Rural Utilities Service Funding 
• Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Funding

Local Area Formation Information (LAFCO)

• CALAFCO Executive Officer Directory
• What is LAFCO and how does the process work?

Water Rights in Consolidation and Regionalization

If the public water system uses surface water as a water source (lake, river, etc.) the water system likely has surface water rights with specific areas of use, called the "Place of Use." To use these rights at other locations, a petition of change of use will be required by the Division of Water Rights.

• Water Rights Petitions FAQ
• Petition for Change of Use Form

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

• What is CEQA and other Frequently Asked Questions
• CEQA Statuses
• Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act
• CEQA Categorical Exemptions
  • Existing Facilities Section 15301
  • Replacement or Reconstruction 15302
• CEQA Statutory Exemptions
  • Feasibility and Planning Exemption Section 15262
  • Pipeline Exemption Section 15284

USEPA’s Water Partnership Website

• USEPA Water Partnership Website
• USEPA Resources for Beginning a Partnership
• USEPA Cases Studies

Contact Us

For assistance on water partnerships and consolidations, contact our coordinators: