THIS CASE ARISES UNDER THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT AND CONCERNS ALMOST TOTAL NONCOMPLIANCE WITH THE ACT OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD. THE DEFENDANT IS THE MIDWAY HEIGHTS COUNTY WATER DISTRICT (THE DISTRICT), A PUBLIC AGENCY OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA ORGANIZED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE COUNTY WATER DISTRICT ACT OF DIVISION 12 OF THE CALIFORNIA WATER CODE. THE DISTRICT'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE PUBLIC OFFICERS. THE DEFENDANT OPERATES A PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM IN PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, WHICH IS IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS. DEFENDANT PURCHASES RAW, UNTREATED WATER FROM THE PLACER COUNTY WATER AGENCY. THE WATER IS DIVERTED INTO THE DEFENDANT'S SYSTEM FROM THE BOARDMAN CANAL, WHICH IS AN OPEN MINING DITCH. THIS RAW, UNTREATED SURFACE WATER IS DELIVERED TO THE DEFENDANT'S CUSTOMERS BY A PIPELINE SYSTEM THAT COVERS MOST OF THE DISTRICT'S 4.5 SQUARE MILES. THE DEFENDANT'S CUSTOMERS INCLUDE MORE THAN 630 PERSONS (MORE THAN 460 ADULTS AND 170 CHILDREN) WHO LIVE IN A RURAL AREA OF SINGLE FAMILY HOMES. DEFENDANT IS IN ALMOST TOTAL NONCOMPLIANCE WITH THE ACT. THE DISTRICT HAS PERFORMED NONE OF THE ACT'S REQUIRED MONITORING FOR TURBIDITY, BACTERIA, ORGANICS, INORGANICS AND RADIATION. MONTHLY SAMPLING OF THE DISTRICT'S WATER FOR TURBIDITY AND BACTERIA BY THE PRIMACY AGENCY, THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES (DOHS),