Water Rights When Buying Land in Chelan & Douglas Counties
Quick answer: In Washington, water belongs to the public and is used under water rights. Small household wells can run under the "groundwater permit exemption," but larger uses need a water right permit from the Department of Ecology. Check before you buy.
The groundwater permit exemption
Ecology says the exemption allows four small uses of groundwater without a water right permit: domestic use up to 5,000 gallons per day, industrial use up to 5,000 gallons per day, watering a lawn or garden of a half-acre or less, and stockwater. It comes from RCW 90.44.050. (Ecology: Groundwater permit exemption)
"First in time, first in right"
All water use is subject to the prior appropriation doctrine: a senior water right can't be impaired by a junior one, and seniority comes from the priority date. (Ecology)
Planning to irrigate more?
If you plan to use more than 5,000 gallons per day or irrigate more than half an acre, Ecology says you need to apply for a water right before you drill. (Ecology: Wells)
How to research a property
- Search existing rights and claims with Ecology's Water Rights Search / Water Resources Explorer.
- Look up the well report for an existing well with Ecology's Well Report Viewer.
- Read Ecology's water rights overview.
- Ask the seller for irrigation district statements if the parcel is in a district.
Related: Wells and septic · Buying land and acreage
Verify with professionals. This is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change and every parcel is different. Confirm details with the Department of Ecology, the Chelan-Douglas Health District, the county, a water-rights attorney or a licensed well driller or septic designer before you buy.
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