Cal. WAT § 13265

This is the official text of Cal. WAT § 13265, part of California’s Water Code — governs water rights and water resource management.

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Official statutory text

(a) Any person discharging waste in violation of Section 13264, after such violation has been called to his attention in writing by the regional board, is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be liable civilly in accordance with subdivision (b). Each day of such discharge shall constitute a separate offense.

(b) (1) Civil liability may be administratively imposed by a regional board in accordance with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 13323) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (a) in an amount which shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each day in which the violation occurs.

(2) Civil liability may be imposed by the superior court in accordance with Articles 5 (commencing with Section 13350) and 6 (commencing with Section 13360) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (a) in an amount which shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day in which the violation occurs.

(c) Any person discharging hazardous waste, as defined in Section 25117 of the Health and Safety Code, in violation of Section 13264 is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be liable civilly in accordance with subdivision (d). That liability shall not be imposed if the discharger is not negligent and immediately files a report of the discharge with the board, or if the regional board determines that the violation of Section 13264 was insubstantial.

This subdivision shall not be applicable to any waste discharge which is subject to Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 13370).

(d) (1) Civil liability may be administratively imposed by a regional board in accordance with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 13323) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (c) in an amount which shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day in which the violation occurs.

(2) Civil liability may be imposed by the superior court in accordance with Articles 5 (commencing with Section 13350) and 6 (commencing with Section 13360) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (c) in an amount which shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each day in which the violation occurs.

Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site

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