Will the Division of Water Rights accept complaints involving matters other than illegal diversions of water or permit or license condition violations?
Yes. The State Water Board has a duty to protect the public trust and to prevent the waste and unreasonable use of water, including unreasonable methods of diverting water. We may investigate complaints that involve these issues whether or not a permit or license is involved and, if a permit is involved, whether or not a permittee or licensee is complying with the conditions of his or her water right permit or license. Because we do not have permitting authority over groundwater or pre-1914 and riparian surface water rights or authority to determine the relative priority of these classes of use, we will not investigate complaints that involve diversions by these water users unless the complaint involves waste or unreasonable diversion or use or unreasonable method of diversion or impacts to the public trust. Disputes between these water users must be resolved by a court. The court may refer the matter to the State Water Board for findings of fact or of law. If this happens, the parties
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