FAQ's
Is the practice of harvesting rainwater illegal in Utah?
Rainwater harvesting is a water right issue only to the extent that rainwater is actually stored and then later used for some purpose rather than being released back to the natural drainage system. more...
I want to build a house and need a well. What do I need to do?
You must have a water right to divert and use water in the State of Utah. Water well drillers are licensed and cannot drill a well unless permission to drill has been obtained from the State Engineer. more...
I understand I need to buy a water right. How do I go about it?
Water rights are classified as “real property” in the state of Utah and are bought and sold much like real estate. Many real estate agencies will have listings for water rights much as they do for properties. more...
How do I know if a water right I’m thinking about buying is a “good one”?
Some issues you should be particularly aware of when persuing the purchase of a water right are verification of ownership and water use. more...
What are supplemental numbers and use groups?
Water right groups exist to allow the Division of Water Rights to organize records and quantify amounts related to water use. more...
What is Utah’s “use it or lose it” law related to water rights?
Utah’s laws have been designed to encourage full responsible development of water supplies and to discourage efforts to speculate in or monopolize the resource. more...

Current Issues
Water Right Fees Change July 1, 2009 more...
Water Rights Offices will be open Monday thru Thursday for the July holidays! more...
Executive Water Task Force more...
Water Rights SLC Offices are undergoing renovation through the end of June. more...
Randy Tarantino has accepted the position of Title Specialist more...
Welcome to the Division of Water Rights

The Utah Division of Water Rights (DWRi), led by the State Engineer - Kent L. Jones, P.E., is an agency of Utah State Government within the Department of Natural Resources that administers the appropriation and distribution of the State's valuable water resources.

The mission of the Division of Water Rights is to provide
order and certainty in the beneficial use of Utah's water.
Fees
The legislature approved new water right fees which
will go into effect July 1, 2009. Most fees will increase.

Also, starting July 1, 2009, new fees will be initiated for Stream Alteration Applications and for submitting Protests on any Water Right Application.

These fees will help to offset the processing costs of these applications.
Click here for a PDF document showing the FY2010 Water Rights fee schedule effective July 1, 2009

Click here for a list of 2009 legislative items related to water and irrigation.

The Division of Water Rights office hours are from
7:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Thursday.

Our office is closed on Fridays, along with other State agencies,
following Governor Huntsman's Working4Utah initiative.


Resources

      Applications, Forms

      Informative Brochures
Notice
Please be aware that wait times for unannounced visits to our office can exceed 45 minutes.

For this reason, we strongly recommend that you make an appointment if you need to come into the office for further assistance.