LA's Water Replenishment District

Cities, other government agencies, and private companies that pump water out of the LA Basin pay the Water Replenishment District a fee to refill it, known as an assessment. For years, critics complained that the district took in too much money and did little with it besides line the pockets of politically connected consultants. A small group of cities -- those hit hardest by the district's assessments -- finally took the WRD to court to rein in the obscure, tiny agency that didn't seem to pay any attention to those paying the bills. New Times LA features an in-depth report on the WRD's sins.

Thanks to Chris Steins