Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions govern the construction of this article:

(a) “Eligible project” means a project or activity described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 13480 that is all of the following:

(1) Necessary to prevent water pollution, reclaim water, or improve water quality.

(2) Eligible for funds from the State Revolving Fund Loan Subaccount or federal assistance.

(3) Certified by the board as entitled to priority over other eligible projects.

(4) Complies with applicable water quality standards, policies, and plans.

(b) “Federal assistance” means money provided to a municipality, either directly or through allocation by the state, from the federal government to construct eligible projects pursuant to the Clean Water Act.

(c) “Municipality” has the same meaning as defined in the Clean Water Act and also includes the state or any agency, department, or political subdivision thereof, and applicants eligible for technical assistance under Section 319 (33 U.S.C. Sec. 1329) or grants under Section 320 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. Sec. 1330).

(d) “Small community” means a municipality with a population of 10,000 persons or less, or a reasonably isolated and divisible segment of a larger municipality where the segment of the population is 10,000 persons or less, with a financial hardship as determined by the board.

(e) “Treatment works” has the same meaning as defined in the Clean Water Act.

(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 725, Sec. 1. Approved in Proposition 13 at the March 7, 2000, election.)