CA SB552

Authorizes State Water Resources Control Board to order consolidation or extension of water service to disadvantaged communities that lack adequate safe drinking water, including communities in mobilehome parks, unincorporated areas, or served by mutual water companies.

Requires State Water Resources Control Board to consult with local agency formation commissions, Public Utilities Commission, local governments, and public water systems in the distribution chain before ordering consolidation or extension of service.

Prohibits consolidated water systems from increasing charges on existing customers of the receiving system unless customers receive corresponding benefits, and caps fees on subsumed water system customers at the cost of consolidation or service extension.

Authorizes State Water Resources Control Board to contract with administrators to provide management and operational services to struggling public water systems serving disadvantaged communities when consolidation is not feasible, with administrators able to set rates, manage infrastructure improvements, and handle operations and maintenance costs.

Exempts State Water Resources Control Board actions under this section from the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act and does not apply administrator provisions to charter cities, charter counties, or charter city and counties.