Utah Division of Water Rights

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FAQ's

Is the practice of harvesting rainwater legal in Utah?

Rainwater harvesting is now legal in the state of Utah, starting May 11 2010. Senate Bill 32 provides for the collection and use of precipitation without obtaining a water right. more...

I want to build a house and need a well. What do I need to do?

You must have a water right to divert and use water in the State of Utah. Water well drillers are licensed and cannot drill a well unless permission to drill has been obtained from the State Engineer. more...

I understand I need to buy a water right. How do I go about it?

Water rights are classified as �real property� in the state of Utah and are bought and sold much like real estate. Many real estate agencies will have listings for water rights much as they do for properties. more...

How do I know if a water right I�m thinking about buying is a �good one�?

Some issues you should be particularly aware of when persuing the purchase of a water right are verification of ownership and water use. more...

What are supplemental numbers and use groups?

Water right groups exist to allow the Division of Water Rights to organize records and quantify amounts related to water use. more...

What is Utah�s �use it or lose it� law related to water rights?

Utah�s laws have been designed to encourage full responsible development of water supplies and to discourage efforts to speculate in or monopolize the resource. more...

How do I update ownership on the Division of Water Rights records?

To update water right ownership on the records of the State Engineer, a water right owner shall submit a report of water right conveyance to the State Engineer. more...

What�s needed to show future needs of a Public Water Supplier in a 40-year plan?

For Public Water Supplier applications to be extended beyond 50 years, statutes require that information be submitted to show that water applied for is needed to meet requirements of the public for 40 years... more...

Current Issues

Public Meeting May 29, 2012 Birdseye more...

Public Meeting May 17, 2012, Taylor Flat Proposed Determination (05 Bk 3) more...

Public Meeting April 23, 2012. Malad and Bear River. more...

Green River Nuclear Power Plant Reconsideration Requests are denied more...

Kent Jones, State Engineer releases article about Senate Bill 187 more...

Green River Nuclear Power Plant Applications Approved more...

Welcome to the Division of Water Rights

The Utah Division of Water Rights (DWRi), led by the State Engineer - Kent L. Jones, P.E., is an agency of Utah State Government within the Department of Natural Resources that administers the appropriation and distribution of the State's valuable water resources.