Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions govern the construction of this article:

(a) “Conjunctive use” means the temporary storage of water in a groundwater aquifer through intentional recharge and subsequent extraction for later use. Storage is accomplished by either of the following methods:

(1) “Direct recharge” of an aquifer by conducting surface water into the ground by various means, including, without limitation, spreading ponds and injection wells for the purpose of making the water stored in the aquifer available for extraction and later use in drier years.

(2) “In-lieu recharge” means increasing the amount of groundwater available in an aquifer by substituting surface water supplies to a user who would otherwise pump groundwater.

(b) “Conjunctive use facilities” include land and appurtenant facilities for any phase of a conjunctive use operation. Appurtenant facilities may include subsurface storage, treatment, conveyance, recharge ponds, injection wells, spreading grounds, monitoring, measurements, subsidence detection, flow regulation, detention basins to facilitate recharge, diversion facilities, and extraction facilities.

(c) “Conjunctive use project” means a project that is intended to produce water supply benefits for the local agency or a project that is intended to produce water supply benefits for water users, including the environment, in addition to the local agency.

(d) “Local agency” means any city, county, city and county, district, joint powers authority, mutual water company, or other political subdivision of the state.

(e) “Project participants” means any public agency participating in, and benefiting from, a conjunctive use project under this article.

(f) “Subaccount” means the Conjunctive Use Subaccount created by Section 79172.

(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 1078, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 2001. Note: This section was added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 725, and approved in Prop. 13 on March 7, 2000.)