Ne. Sacramento Cty. Sanitation Dist. v. Northridge Park Cty. Water Dist. of Sacramento Cty.

The sole question on this appeal is whether a county sanitation district must compensate a county water district for the latter’s costs when required to relocate its water mains because of an extension of the sanitation district’s sewer facilities (both works being located beneath county roads). The trial court held that it must. We agree with that holding upon the principles of law and reasoning related below.

Northridge is a county water district created under the provisions of section 30000 et seq. of the Water Code. Its function is to provide water for domestic purposes to people within its boundaries located within a part of Sacramento County. It owns and operates a water distribution system at least a part of which consists of water lines located beneath the surface of county roads. County water districts come into existence by an election of the voters within the boundaries of the proposed district. (Wat. Code, § 30295.) They are managed by a board of directors also elected by the voters within the district. (Wat. Code, § 30732 et seq.)

Appellant Northeast is a county sanitation district organized under the provisions of section 4700 et seq. of the Health and Safety Code.…