The state has put Los Angeles County in charge of a small water district that has been delivering brown, smelly water to about 6,870 residents of Compton and Willowbrook.

The California Water Resources Control Board on Wednesday ordered Sativa Los Angeles County Water District to immediately accept full management and control from Los Angeles County.

The board says Sativa has consistently failed to provide a reliable and adequate supply of pure, potable water.

The board named Los Angeles County’s Department of Public Works as temporary administrator for Sativa pending the outcome of proceedings to dissolve the district and turn its operations over to another entity.

The action required passage of legislation to give the state agency authority to dismantle Sativa’s board and to fund temporary administration.