California Code, Health and Safety Code - HSC § 116480

(a) The department shall expend moneys available in the Emergency Clean Water Grant Fund only for the purpose of taking corrective action necessary to remedy or prevent an emergency or imminent threat to public health due to the contamination or potential contamination of the public water supply.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department may enter into written contracts for remedial action taken or to be taken pursuant to subdivision (a), and may enter into oral contracts, not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in obligation, when, in the judgment of the department, immediate remedial action is necessary to remedy or prevent an emergency specified in subdivision (a). The contracts, written or oral, may include provisions for the rental or purchase of tools and equipment, either with or without operators, for the furnishing of labor and materials and for engineering consulting necessary to accomplish the work.