Reliable water supplies are of utmost importance.  Kidman Gagen Law advises and represents water agency clients on the water rights foundation of their water supplies.

Surface Water Rights

Kidman Gagen Law represents clients before the State Water Resources Control Board and before state and federal courts in surface water rights matters, which sometimes also involve the Endangered Species Act, the California Environmental Quality Act and other environmental laws.  Kidman Gagen Law is an expert in subterranean streams law related to the State Board’s jurisdiction over groundwater resources.

Groundwater Rights Adjudications and Storage

Kidman Gagen Law advises and represents water agency clients in water rights law related to water supplies from groundwater.  Mr. Kidman has represented water providers in virtually every adjudicated or statutorily managed groundwater basin in Southern California and has advocated groundwater rights matters before the California Supreme Court and other state and federal courts.  Kidman Gagen Law attorneys have represented clients in groundwater storage and recovery programs in both adjudicated and unadjudicated groundwater basins throughout Southern California.

Water Supply/Land Use Planning and Litigation

Kidman Gagen Law assists water agencies in compliance with the Urban Water Management Planning Act (UWMPA) and in preparing water supply assessments (WSA) and written verifications (WV) in compliance with SB 610 and SB 221.

Water Import Agencies and Systems

Kidman Gagen Law attorneys are familiar with the various state and regional delivery systems and the laws and regulations governing those systems, and are able to advise water agencies accordingly.  Kidman Gagen Law attorneys have worked with a variety of wholesale water agencies and have been directly involved in many important supplemental water projects.

Retail Water Distribution

Kidman Gagen Law attorneys assist water agencies in meeting the numerous and unique legal challenges confronted in providing water service to end use customers.

Customer Relations

Kidman Gagen Law advises agencies in a variety of customer service areas such as notices of water rate changes, restrictions on mass mail of public information materials and requirements for delinquent customer shut off notices.

Development Agreements

Kidman Gagen Law assists water agencies in preparing development agreements which provide for the proper sequencing and funding of water supply infrastructure required for new land developments.

System Failures and Liability

Kidman Gagen Law assists water agency clients in dealing with liability and insurance claims related to service problems and system failures.

Water Conservation

Kidman Gagen Law assists water agency clients in implementing water conservation programs mandated by state law, including achievement of conservation goals through pricing while complying with water pricing laws such as Proposition 218.