Surface Water Rights in Arizona S urface water rights in Arizona refer to the legal entitlements related to the use of water from rivers, lakes, streams, and other surface water sources within the state. Arizona follows the doctrine of prior appropriation. Prior Appropriation Doctrine Arizona primarily adheres to the prior appropriation doctrine, which follows the principle of "first in time, first in right." Under this system: • Water rights are granted to those who first divert water for beneficial use. • The right to use surface water is based on when the diversion occurs, not land ownership. • Rights holders are granted the right to use a specified amount of water, provided they continue to use it in a beneficial way (such as for agriculture or domestic purposes). Beneficial Use To maintain surface water rights in Arizona, the water must be put to beneficial use . Common beneficial uses include: • Agricultural irrigation • Domestic use (drinking, sanitation) Surface Water Rights in Arizona Arizona has a complex system of water law, which includes: • Adjudication : Arizona has an ongoing adjudication process (e.g., the Gila River adjudication) to determine and clarify the rights of users in specific regions, especially in areas with competing claims to water. • Use it or Lose it : If a water right is not put to beneficial use for a certain period (typically five consecutive years), it may be forfeited.
St David Springs
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