NRS 534.020
Underground waters belong to public and are subject to appropriation for beneficial use

  • declaration of legislative intent.

1.

All underground waters within the boundaries of the State belong to the public, and, subject to all existing rights to the use thereof, are subject to appropriation for beneficial use only under the laws of this State relating to the appropriation and use of water and not otherwise.

2.

It is the intention of the Legislature, by this chapter, to prevent the waste of underground waters and pollution and contamination thereof and provide for the administration of the provisions thereof by the State Engineer, who is hereby empowered to make such rules and regulations within the terms of this chapter as may be necessary for the proper execution of the provisions of this chapter.

Source: Section 534.020 — Underground waters belong to public and are subject to appropriation for beneficial use; declaration of legislative intent., https://www.­leg.­state.­nv.­us/NRS/NRS-534.­html#NRS534Sec020.

534.010
Definitions. 534.011
“Area of active management” defined. 534.012
“Artesian well” defined. 534.013
“Domestic use” and “domestic purposes” defined. 534.014
“Person” defined. 534.015
“Recharged water” defined. 534.016
“Stored water” defined. 534.017
“Well driller” defined. 534.020
Underground waters belong to public and are subject to appropriation for beneficial use 534.025
Removal of underground waters to alleviate hazards caused by secondary recharge is beneficial use. 534.030
Administration by State Engineer: Petition by appropriators in basin 534.035
Groundwater boards: Establishment 534.037
Groundwater management plan for basin designated as critical management area: Petition 534.040
Employment and compensation of well supervisor and assistants 534.050
Permit to appropriate water required before sinking well in designated groundwater basin 534.060
Conditions for sinking wells 534.065
Replacement well: Application to change place of diversion not required in certain circumstances 534.070
Waste of water from artesian well unlawful. 534.090
Forfeiture and abandonment of rights. 534.100
Recognition of existing water rights 534.0105
“Aquifer” defined. 534.110
Rules and regulations of State Engineer 534.0115
“Area of hydrologic effect” defined. 534.120
State Engineer authorized to make rules, regulations and orders when groundwater is being depleted in designated area 534.125
State Engineer to file notice related to temporary permit. 534.0125
“Augmentation” defined. 534.130
State Engineer, assistants and Artesian Well Supervisor authorized to enter premises to investigate and carry out duties. 534.0135
“Percolating waters” defined. 534.140
Well drillers: Annual licenses 534.141
Application for renewal of license must include certain information regarding state business license 534.142
Payment of child support: Statement by applicant for license to drill 534.144
Suspension of license for failure to pay child support or comply with certain subpoenas or warrants 534.0145
“Project” defined. 534.146
Application for license to include social security number of applicant. 534.150
Well Drillers’ Advisory Board: Appointment 534.0155
“Storage account” defined. 534.160
License required to drill well 534.0165
“Waste” defined. 534.170
Well driller to keep log and records 534.0175
“Well drilling” and “drilling a well” defined. 534.180
Applicability of chapter to wells used for domestic purposes 534.185
Waiver of certain requirements for domestic wells by State Engineer 534.190
Penalties. 534.193
Additional penalties. 534.195
Injunctive and other relief. 534.250
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Permit required 534.260
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Contents of application for permit. 534.270
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Review of application for permit 534.280
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Annual report to State Engineer. 534.290
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Permit for recovery well 534.300
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Storage account to be established 534.310
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Annual fee for permit 534.320
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Revocation or suspension of permit 534.330
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Penalties. 534.340
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Designation of areas of active management. 534.350
Requirements for certain public water system to receive credits for addition of new customers to system. 534.360
Water Rights Technical Support Account: Creation 534.1405
Well drillers: Petition for review of criminal history to obtain license
Last Updated

Feb. 5, 2021

§ 534.020’s source at nv​.us