(a)
Upon written request submitted to the department by the owners or governing bodies of at least 15 percent of the conduits lawfully entitled to directly divert water from the streams or other sources of water supply in any service area, the department may, if it determines that it is necessary, appoint a watermaster and if necessary, in its discretion, one or more deputy watermasters for the service area.
(b)
Upon petition, made to a court in which a relevant judicial decree has been entered, by the owners or governing bodies of at least 15 percent of the conduits lawfully entitled to directly divert water from the streams or other sources of water supply in any service area, the court may appoint a public agency as watermaster under this part to replace the watermaster appointed by the department.
(c)
(1)A watermaster appointed pursuant to subdivision (b) shall have the powers and duties prescribed by the court pursuant to the exercise of its judicial authority, which may include any powers and duties prescribed by this part.
(2)
This part shall apply to the service area for which a watermaster is appointed pursuant to subdivision (b) only to the extent determined by the court.
(d)
(1)If in response to a petition made to a court, the court appoints a watermaster in a service area in which the department previously appointed a watermaster, upon the appointment of the new watermaster becoming effective, the department shall not be responsible for carrying out any of the duties and obligations of this part, including any responsibility for the funding of the expenses of administration or distribution pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 4200).
(2)
If in response to a petition made to a court, the court appoints a watermaster in a service area in which the department previously appointed a watermaster, upon the appointment of the new watermaster becoming effective and in the discretion of the department, any fixed waterflow measuring device and fixed distribution structure installed by the department shall either be removed from the service area by the department, or transferred at no charge to the new watermaster appointed by the court. With respect to any waterflow measuring device or fixed distribution structure transferred to the new watermaster, all rights, duties, and obligations of the department shall accompany the transfer and shall be assumed by the new watermaster, and the new watermaster shall hold the department harmless for any and all claims or causes of action relative to the items transferred that arise subsequent to the transfer.