Salt Lake City Water Law Attorneys

Water law is a complex amalgamation of common law, statutory law, and regulations. Water law can be generally subdivided into two areas: water use rights; and restrictions on water pollution. However, water law can often involve other areas of the law like personal injury/damage issues, corporate liability issues, and other legal issues within the context of water use, pollution, or otherwise.

Water law in Utah and other western states begins with the fundamental doctrine of beneficial use.  With some exceptions, this doctrine requires that those who own the right to use water to put the water to beneficial use or possibly face loss of those rights through claims of forfeiture or abandonment. Inasmuch as the vast majority of water use in Utah has been claimed or adjudicated for nearly 100 years, many water disputes in Utah involve claims between water users for interference with the use of a water right or disputes involving a water user’s place of use, type of use, and points of diversion.  Additionally, water law also covers the use of water by irrigation or canal companies as well as disputes between shareholders of such companies.