As an alternative, and in addition, to other methods set forth in this article regarding the apportionment of water, a district may enter into long-term water service contracts with the holders of title to land for the apportionment of all or any part of its water supply. Long-term water service contracts may provide that all water charges provided for, when due, are a lien on the land in the nature of assessments and may be collected and enforced in the manner provided in this division for the collection and enforcement of assessments. Any lien pursuant to this section has the same force, effect, and priority as an assessment lien, if the contract is recorded in the office of the county recorder in the county in which the land is located.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 667, Sec. 14. Effective September 20, 1996.)