UTAH WATER RIGHTS (Everything You Need To Know About Utah Water Rights)

[@LivingInCedarCity]

What questions do you have on water rights?

[@RachelinRealLife]

Thank you so much for putting this video together! I'm currently looking for land; one of the properties I'm interested in does have water, and another doesn't have any water rights. I am at the very start of researching this process. Would you have an guesstimate of how much it would cost to obtain water rights and drill a well that is approximately 800 ft deep? Thank you so much!

[@LivingInCedarCity]

@@RachelinRealLife Thanks for watching! 800 ft is a deep well! The cost will depend on a few things, like location, soil type, how big a casing you want, and what kind of pump system you'll have. I can put you in touch with local well drillers who will be able to give you a good estimate. The cost for water also varies depending on where it's located. Right now, the northern end of the valley is around $7000-10,000/acre foot, and it gets more expensive toward Kanarraville/New Harmony, where it's around $17,000 an acre foot. If you want details, text your email address to my cell- 435-590-1426 and I'll forward additional info.

[@peskylogicchillinsky6007Futube]

Half acre water rights to well? A ad for a property has that and I was curious about what that means.

[@johnsmith-xz4mp]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@dushanepowell3782]

Thank you for the informational video.

[@richdavis6066]

Jennie, I really enjoy your videos. We are thinking about relocating to Cedar City next year. Since it appears that water is always going to an issue in the western states. My question is where does Cedar City get their city water from and is it a reliable source if the city continues to grow? Thanks Rich

[@LivingInCedarCity]

Rich - that is a great question with a long and currently fluctuating answer. The biggest water source for the area is underground aquifers. That source is insufficient to sustain our current population and the growth we're experiencing. In the last few years, Cedar City/Iron County have secured water rights to the northwest of us in the Hamblin and Wah Wah valleys. That project is in the beginning stages of planning to get the water here. That will add thousands of acre feet of water to our community, and take pressure off of the aquifers. Also, about 80% of water usage is agricultural. There are multiple solutions in conversation right now to conserve that water and recharge the aquifers. This is a big topic of conversation and our local politicians are being pressured to offer solutions. Those solutions will likely involve a combination of Federal, State and Local resources, and a combination of conservation and developing new water sources and storage methods. Thanks for your question!

[@WhatsupwithIsaiah]

I had the same question, thank you for answering!

[@kuzindwight950]

What constitutes beneficial use to avoid use of lose? I'd be interested in land with rights for multiple lots for my kids to eventually build their own, homes but that obviously won't be for some time.

[@LivingInCedarCity]

Hi Kuzindwight - that's a great question! And one with a long answer that eventually ends with, "check with the Division of Water Rights." There are ways to file for "non-use" with the Division of Water Rights, and there is also the ability to lease the water to someone else so it can be "proven up," or shown to be put to beneficial use. Before buying land and water rights, I really recommend checking with waterrights.utah.gov/ to understand the specifics of any particular parcel and specific water right. There is historical information to many water rights that is relevant to transfer of ownership, transfer of point of diversion, historical use (and beneficial use) that make it critical to research each transaction individually. We've had transactions involving water lately where the seller and the buyer thought they had done everything right, buyer went to pull a well permit, and the application was turned down for an unforeseen reason that threw a stick in the spokes of everyone's plans. We just always have to involve the Division now prior to getting into a contract. I hope that helps! Let me know if I can connect you with someone at the Division of Water Rights!