Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 116555 and its implementing regulations, including Sections 64562 and 64568 of the California Code of Regulations, the Redwood Valley County Water District, in order to relieve hardship, may make not more than 135 new ³/₄-inch equivalent domestic service connections to its water system if all of the following conditions are met:

(a)  The district has a contract, agreement, or independent water right to divert water from Lake Mendocino or another adequate source of water supply.

(b)  Redwood Valley is an allowed place of use under that contract, agreement, or water right.

(c)  The department has determined that the water source provides an adequate physical supply of water under its duly adopted waterworks standards.

(d)  The connection will relieve hardship, as determined by the district based on objective proof that the structure served by the connection was constructed prior to December 31, 1997, and absent a connection, only has access to a water supply that furnishes an inadequate quality or quantity of water as measured by drinking water standards adopted by the district.

(e)  The connections authorized by this section are in addition to connections otherwise allowed by law, including connections authorized by Section 116555.

(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 259, Sec. 3. Effective August 4, 1998.)