Cal. Water Code § 12949

After submission of a written report and upon specific authorization by the Legislature the department either independently or in cooperation with any county, state, federal, or public or private agency or corporation may finance, construct, and operate saline water conversion facilities. The department may sell any water made available by such saline water conversion facilities. Unless otherwise provided by the Legislature, the department shall establish rates or charges for such water so as to recover all of the costs of making such water available.