Water Code § 75501

“Person” or “operator” means public agencies, federal, state, and local, private corporations, firms, partnerships, limited liability companies, individuals, or groups of individuals, whether legally organized or not. “Owner” or “operator” also means the person to whom a water-producing facility is assessed by the county assessor of an affected county, or, if not separately assessed, the person who owns the land upon which a water-producing facility is located.