What are the basic principles of irrigation law?

In Washington, there are several basic principles of irrigation law that govern the ways in which people or businesses can use or access water for irrigation. The first principle is that all water in the state is owned by the public, and not by any private entity. This means that the state has the right to manage water resources, and any use of them must be done in accordance with the laws and regulations governing water use. The second principle is that water rights are granted on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that the earliest users of a water source will have priority over later users. The third principle is that water can be used only for its designated purpose. The purpose of irrigation is to provide enough water to promote the growth of vegetation, but it cannot be used for any other purpose, such as drinking or swimming. The fourth principle is that the quantity of water use must be limited and the conservation of the water source must be ensured. This means that the quantity of water used for irrigation must be kept to a minimum, and any losses from the water source must be minimized. Finally, all users of water for irrigation must ensure that their use is sustainable and does not have a negative impact on other users of the water source or on the environment. This means that users must not overextract the water source or use it in a way that endangers the environment in any way.

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What are the basic principles of irrigation law?

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