California Code, Water Code - WAT § 35470

Any district formed on or after July 30, 1917, may, in lieu in whole or in part of raising money for district purposes by assessment, make water available to the holders of title to land or the occupants thereon, and may fix and collect charges therefor.  Pursuant to the notice, protest, and hearing procedures in Section 53753 of the Government Code, the charges may include standby charges to holders of title to land to which water may be made available, whether the water is actually used or not.  The charges may vary in different months and in different localities of the district to correspond to the cost and value of the service, and the district may use so much of the proceeds of the charges as may be necessary to defray the ordinary operation or maintenance expenses of the district and for any other lawful district purpose.