How do water rights transfer?

Water rights transfer in North Carolina through a process known as “water right appropriation”. According to the law, any person, business, or municipality may apply to appropriate water for uses such as drinking, industry, irrigation, recreational, or environmental. First, a government agency such as the North Carolina Division of Water Resources or the US Geological Survey reviews the application and approves it if it meets the state’s standards. Once approved, the applicant is granted the right to use a certain amount of water for a certain period of time. To transfer these water rights, the original appropriator of the water must contact the state government agency and indicate the name and contact information of the new owner. The agency will then verify that all necessary documents, such as a deed or contract, have been provided and the information is correct. Once verified, the agency will transfer the water rights from the original appropriator to the new owner. Another way water rights can transfer is through sale or lease. In a sale, the ownership of the water rights is transferred from the original appropriator to the new owner, who may then use the water for their own purposes. In a lease, the new owner leases the water from the original owner, and they both have access to it. Water right appropriation and transfer are complicated matters, and should only be done in accordance with North Carolina law.

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How do water rights transfer?

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