TranslateState Requirements for Mutual Water Companies
California State Assembly Bill 54 was approved and signed into law in 2011, becoming effective this year. The legislation focuses on mutual water companies and involves, in part, provision of information and materials to Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCO). LAFCOs exist in each county in California as independent public agencies. Among other responsibilities, LAFCOs regulate the boundaries of cities and special districts.
The legislation, which is attached for your information, requires mutual water companies to:
- Submit to LAFCOs a map depicting the boundaries of the area the company serves and
- Upon request, provide information which may be used in LAFCO-initiated studies called Municipal Service Reviews.
The law allows LAFCOs to determine whether companies comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act and also authorizes LAFCOs to approve or disapprove annexation to a city or special district of territory served by a mutual water company, should that be proposed.
Please note: Although the current instrument does not allow you to print a hard copy map, LAFCO staff will be able to send one to you upon request.
Should you prefer, you can provide your own hard copy map, no less than 8½” X 11” in size, as long as it shows the parcels served by your mutual water company by either address or Assessor’s Parcel Number.
- Provide a copy of your company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
- Provide a copy of your company’s most recent consumer confidence and water quality reports.
Sonoma LAFCO staff looks forward to working cooperatively with the mutual water companies in Sonoma County. We are available to discuss the requirements of AB 54 with you and/or respond to your questions or comments. We thank you for your time and attention.