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​​What are Water Purveyors? 

Water for domestic, incidental and irrigation uses is supplied by twenty-five different purveyors that are basically classified into five different categories: dependent water districts, autonomous water districts (which are independent special districts), cities, private and mutual water companies. 

​Information on Sacramento County Water Purveyors 

The operational structure among water agencies is very similar. Each generally has a system of wells or surface water source and distribution system designed to serve the needs of the service area. Maintenance work is done in-house by the agency to the extent of its capability, with the remainder contracted to specialized firms. San Juan Suburban Community Services District is the only independent district which does all of its own work. 

Dependent Water Districts 

The Sacramento County Water Agency was formed pursuant to the Sacramento County Water Agency Act (Water Code Uncodified Act Section 6730a). The agency is operated by the Sacramento County Department of Water Resources, and is authorized to perform water supply, drainage and flood control for all of Sacramento County. Within the Water Agency, separate zones have been used to provide funds for specific projects in specific areas. 

Zone 13 is authorized to perform all the activities of the Water Agency within the unincorporated area of the County. Zone 40 is a capital construction fund that provides for wholesale water supply in the southern portion of the County. Zone 41 provides potable water to 28,000 customer connections located in 7 separate service areas. 

Information on Zone 11, Zone 12, and a map of Zone 13 are included under Drainage Districts. Approximate boundaries for the Sacramento County Water Agency and its Zones are shown on Drainage District maps. 

Autonomous Water Districts 

There are four types of autonomous water districts in Sacramento County: irrigation districts, California water districts, community service districts, and County water districts. 

Irrigation Districts 

There are four irrigation districts located partially or wholly in Sacramento County. They include: Carmichael Water District, Fair Oaks Water District, Citrus Heights Water District, and Galt Irrigation District. The enabling legislation for irrigation districts is found in Section 20500 et seq. of the Water Code (California Irrigation District Act). 

California Water Districts ​​​​

​There are two water districts in Sacramento County that were formed under provisions of the California Water District Act (Water Code Section 35300 et seq.). The Clay and Omochumne-Hartnell Water Districts are located in the southeastern section of Sacramento County. ​

California Water Districts have the following latent powers: (1) Agricultural and Urban Drainage and, (2) Sewerage.  

Community Services District 

The San Juan Community Services District provides retail and wholesale water to the northeastern sector of Sacramento County. Rancho Murieta Community Services District provides its own water system. Water is taken from the Cosumnes River and is stored, treated and reclaimed for irrigation. 

County Water Districts 

Four county water districts were formed pursuant to the California Water District Act (Water Code Section 30000 et seq.). They are the Sacramento Suburban Water District, Florin County Water District, Del Paso Manor County Water District, and the Rio Linda/Elverta Community Water District. The name “county water district” is a misnomer because it implies a dependent district of the county government. However, all are completely autonomous with elected governing bodies. 

Cities 

The following cities provide their own water service: the City of Galt, the City of Folsom, and the City of Sacramento. 

Private and Mutual Water Companies 

There are four private water companies in Sacramento County which are regulated by the Public Utilities Commission. They include Arden-Cordova Water Service, California American Water Company, Elk Grove Water Service, and Fruitridge Vista Water Company. These purveyors are owned by stockholders and are governed by State Statutes set forth in the Public Utilities Code. There are three mutual companies in Sacramento County. These entities are not regulated by any governmental body, except that when a mutual water company is formed and it sells “securities,” or shares of the water system to its users, it must be granted permission to do so by the State Department of Corporations. If a mutual water company is a corporation (some of the smaller mutuals are not incorporated), it also files with the Office of the Secretary of State, like any other corporation. The mutual water companies in Sacramento County are: Tokay Park Water Company, Orange Vale Water Company and Natomas Central Mutual Water Company.