How is water allocation regulated?

Water allocation, or the process of deciding who can use and access water, is regulated in California through a complex system of water law. On a statewide level, water use is governed by the California Water Code. This code is composed of laws that regulate how water is used and allocated between different stakeholders. This includes laws that set out how much water can be used in a given area, who can use the water, and how much each stakeholder should pay for water use. In addition, the California Water Board provides regulation on the local level, allowing for more tailored management of water resources in specific regions. The allocation of water is based on the priority of the water user. Generally the first priority of water users are domestic and agricultural needs. This includes the needs for drinking water, irrigation for crops and livestock, hydropower, and industrial uses. The second priority of water users are environmental needs, including keeping rivers and streams flowing and protecting fish migration. While both domestic and agricultural use of water come first, the environment must still be taken into account when making decisions on how much water to allocate. The way that water is allocated can also be affected by state legislation. For example, in 2006 the California Legislature passed the California Water Conservation and Security Act, which set out to ensure that water resources are managed in a sustainable manner. This act also aimed to ensure that a fair and equitable distribution of water resources is maintained across the various stakeholders in the state. This act provides a framework for overall water use and allocation in the state.

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How is water allocation regulated?

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