The board of directors of the Costa Mesa County Water District shall, as soon as possible after the formation of the district, cause an appraisal to be made of all operating (other than pipelines, wells, reservoirs and appurtenances) and non-operating assets acquired from each district and the city. The non-operating assets shall be sold as soon as practicable and the proceeds therefrom credited to the district or city from which received. The operating assets necessary for the proper functioning of the integrated system shall be retained and all surplus operating property shall be sold and the proceeds therefrom credited to the agency from which received. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Costa Mesa County Water District equalize as much as reasonably possible the contribution of retained operating property (other than pipelines, wells, reservoirs and appurtenances) by each of the agencies.
Ca. Water Code § 33246