What is the difference between a Riparian Water use and a Non-Riparian Water Use?
A Riparian Water Use is use by a riparian landowner. A riparian landowner owns land bordering the source surface waterbody. Riparian landowners have water rights which enable them to take and use water on their riparian land. Riparian land must be in the same watershed as the water source, and must not be severed from the source of supply by an intervening parcel (the source property and the use property must be one and the same). Generally, a riparian water user must share the water supply with other riparian users. A Non-Riparian Water Use is use of surface water for activities on non-riparian property. A non-riparian landowner owns land with no surface waterbody on or adjacent to the parcel. Non-Riparian landowners do not have water rights associated with property ownership. How much water can be diverted without having to apply for a water use permit? Anyone proposing to divert surface water for non-riparian use is required to apply for a permit, regardless of the volume of water p
