What is beneficial use?

Beneficial use is a legal term used in water law in Virginia that states that the water must be used for a public purpose in order to remain under the jurisdiction of the state. This concept is used to ensure that the waters of Virginia are utilized in the most beneficial manner for the public good. There are five distinct types of beneficial uses recognized in Virginia: domestic, agricultural, industrial, recreational, and environmental. The concept of beneficial use is important in the context of water-related laws because it ensures that water is not wasted or used for non-public purposes. Furthermore, beneficial use is a fundamental principle used to determine the rights assigned to a water user. For example, the right of a landowner to have access to the water on his or her property is determined by how the water is used. If the water is used for a beneficial purpose, such as irrigating crops, then the landowner has a right to use the water. Without the concept of beneficial use, someone could potentially take the water and use it for reasons that would not be in the public interest. In short, beneficial use is an important concept of water law in Virginia that helps ensure the water is utilized in the most effective way for public purposes. This concept is applied in many water-related matters and helps ensure that the people of Virginia receive the most benefit from the use of their water resources.

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