CA SB1280

Authorizes the State Water Resources Control Board to order consolidation between a receiving water system and an at-risk water system upon receipt of a petition approved by the water system's governing body or signed by at least 30% of households served by the system.

Defines "at-risk water system" as a public water system with fewer than 500 service connections or a state small water system serving a disadvantaged community that faces risk of failing to provide adequate safe drinking water due to infrastructure vulnerability, institutional failure, or drinking water contaminants at 80% or more of the relevant standard.

Requires the State Water Resources Control Board to develop and adopt a petition policy by July 1, 2020, allowing disadvantaged community members to petition for consolidation consideration, with board authority to contract with technical assistance providers to help communities prepare petitions and evaluate water system status.

Establishes procedures requiring the board to encourage voluntary consolidation, consult with local agencies and utilities commissions, hold public meetings with 30-day notice, and make specific findings regarding feasibility and cost-effectiveness before ordering consolidation.

Prohibits the consolidated water system from increasing charges on existing receiving water system customers unless they receive corresponding benefits, and limits fees on subsumed water system customers to service costs, except for consolidation completion costs not recoverable from other sources.