California Code, Public Utilities Code - PUC § 1826

Whenever the commission determines, after notice and hearing, that any water or sewer system corporation is unable or unwilling to adequately serve its ratepayers, has been actually or effectively abandoned by its owners, or is unresponsive to the rules or orders of the commission, the commission may petition the superior court for the county within which the corporation has its principal office or place of business for the appointment of a receiver to assume possession of its property and to operate its system upon such terms and conditions as the court shall prescribe.  The court may require, as a condition to the appointment of the receiver, that a sufficient bond be given by the receiver and conditioned upon compliance with the orders of the court and the commission, and the protection of all property rights involved.  The court shall provide for disposition of the facilities and system in like manner as any other receivership proceeding in this state.