Beneficial use is the legal basis for allowing all diversions of water from surface and groundwater supplies. Water that is removed from the state’s rivers, streams and underground must serve a beneficial purpose to mankind, either economically, socially, recreationally, hygienically or other ways, or it is not granted a right. To allow water resources to benefit the greatest number of people, use of water must be reasonably efficient. A water right is a right to use the amount of water necessary to accomplish beneficial use without waste.
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