The California Supreme Court dealt a blow to a local government’s ability to seize water utilities on Monday, ruling that courts get the final say on whether a public utility is necessary. Apple Valley, located in San Bernardino County, California, will have to go back to the drawing board for its plans to take over the privately owned water utility, Apple Valley Ranchos Water Company. In a unanimous decision sending the case back down to a California appeals court, the California Supreme Court sided with the utility company in the latest in a decade-long eminent domain dispute between Apple Valley and the utility company. … The case goes back to at least 2010 when investment firm Carlyle Infrastructure Partners bought Apple Valley Ranchos Water Company and raised the rates significantly. 

Other water agency news:

• SJV Water (Bakersfield, Calif.): Not all Fresno County water board races – even the giant Westlands Water District – will be on the ballot. Here’s why
• CBS Los Angeles: New North Hollywood groundwater treatment facilities to deliver drinking water to the community
• Placer County Water Agency: News release: Placer County Water Agency, cities of Sacramento and Roseville partner on new delivery system