[masraum]

Originally Posted by Danimal16

Water law in the west is very, VERY different to that of the eastern US. First and foremost, do you have the overlying rights? Are you within an adjudicated watershed? Is the well you propose to drill/dig hydraulically linked to surface water? If you have rights are you lessor to others in the area? Have you had a finding that the water your propose to extract will go to beneficial use when competing with other superior rights? Do you have a negative declaration or a CEQA determination on the environmental impacts.

How big is your lot? You say you have a water meter for city water? If you do, any previous rights you may be declaring may already have been stripped by the local water authority.

If you try this on the QT, remember you cannot prescript a right against a public agency in California.

And most importantly, do not listen to what is being done by others who do not live in the West.

Have you ever dealt with the design of a well? If you are pushing pipe into an aquifer that is used for M&I, you need to consider screening requirements for health purposes, this could get real ugly if you are caught doing this on the QT. Have you ever dealt with your local water shed management agency? You do not want to get crossways with them.

AND as an alternative do you qualify for an ag meter? If so that is an option. Is there reclaimed water in your area?

Be very careful in doing this.

Great points. I remember reading some other threads about water issues in Cali. Stuff that seems crazy (Cali!).