In one part of our county, the water table is high enough that no one builds
homes with basements in that area. As I was driving by one of the many new
housing developments the other day I wondered, if I lived in a swampy area
like that, could I just dig a hole and put a pump down there to pump up
water for irrigation? In the same area, culinary water is the only way to
get your lawn watered.

My gut says, "well, sure, it's your land, you have the rights to
anything you find on it, be it gold, toxic waste, or swamp water". But
then, I seem to recall that there are a lot of intricate laws on the books
specifically about water rights.

Just curious. Any thoughts?

In article , "Travis Hayes" wrote:
In one part of our county, the water table is high enough that no one builds
homes with basements in that area. As I was driving by one of the many new
housing developments the other day I wondered, if I lived in a swampy area
like that, could I just dig a hole and put a pump down there to pump up
water for irrigation? In the same area, culinary water is the only way to
get your lawn watered.

My gut says, "well, sure, it's your land, you have the rights to
anything you find on it, be it gold, toxic waste, or swamp water". But
then, I seem to recall that there are a lot of intricate laws on the books
specifically about water rights.

Just curious. Any thoughts?


It probably depends on your state. Best to check with a local attorney, or the
local building code authority.

In article ,
"Travis Hayes" wrote:

In one part of our county, the water table is high enough that no one builds
homes with basements in that area. As I was driving by one of the many new
housing developments the other day I wondered, if I lived in a swampy area
like that, could I just dig a hole and put a pump down there to pump up
water for irrigation? In the same area, culinary water is the only way to
get your lawn watered.

My gut says, "well, sure, it's your land, you have the rights to
anything you find on it, be it gold, toxic waste, or swamp water". But
then, I seem to recall that there are a lot of intricate laws on the books
specifically about water rights.

Just curious. Any thoughts?



If it's swampy, why would you need to irrigate anything?

Robert Morein wrote in message ...
In article ,
"Travis Hayes" wrote:

In one part of our county, the water table is high enough that no one builds
homes with basements in that area. As I was driving by one of the many new
housing developments the other day I wondered, if I lived in a swampy area
like that, could I just dig a hole and put a pump down there to pump up
water for irrigation? In the same area, culinary water is the only way to
get your lawn watered.

My gut says, "well, sure, it's your land, you have the rights to
anything you find on it, be it gold, toxic waste, or swamp water". But

then, I seem to recall that there are a lot of intricate laws on the books
specifically about water rights.

Just curious. Any thoughts?



Some places you have the mineral rights and some you don't. Water is a
separate issue. People used to have wells before municipal systems.
Many municipalities do not allow any wells even for lawn watering.
However, some are still left over. I went into a garage for a garage
sale and asked the owner what all those pipes were. He had a hidden
well he was using to water the lawn. By the way, one reason the wells
are not allowed is because a large part of the municipal water cost is
the sewage and disposal and they can't be sure you are just watering
the lawn.

If it's swampy, why would you need to irrigate anything?

"Robert Morein" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Travis Hayes" wrote:

In one part of our county, the water table is high enough that no one
builds
homes with basements in that area. As I was driving by one of the many
new
housing developments the other day I wondered, if I lived in a swampy
area
like that, could I just dig a hole and put a pump down there to pump up
water for irrigation? In the same area, culinary water is the only way
to
get your lawn watered.

My gut says, "well, sure, it's your land, you have the rights to
anything you find on it, be it gold, toxic waste, or swamp water". But
then, I seem to recall that there are a lot of intricate laws on the
books
specifically about water rights.

Just curious. Any thoughts?



If it's swampy, why would you need to irrigate anything?

I guess I chose my words poorly; the area's natural state is not exactly
swampy, but the water table is not even 10 feet down, by my guess. There
ARE a lot of swampy spots in the area, but they usually bring in fill when
they're starting a house. I don't suppose many people would be too
interested in a house with a swamp for a yard, but there sure are a lot that
don't seem to mind a swamp in the back yard.
I think this particular area is so hot for new development right now
because the land must be cheap: a lot of cookie-cutter homes going into
these subdivisions.

On Sat, 25 Sep 2004 10:55:45 -0600, someone wrote:


I think this particular area is so hot for new development right now
because the land must be cheap: a lot of cookie-cutter homes going into
these subdivisions.

Typically, there would only be ":intricate" laws for water RIGHTS in
areas where water is scarce and its worth something to get somebody's
water. There are many tracts out West where whether or not the water
rights go with the land - or for example the City of Los Angeles owns
the water - is a big deal.

OTOH there are shall I say "usually" regs about drilling wells, for
environmental and health reasons. Call a local well driller and ask
them. Since water that is only used for irrigation doesn't flow into
the sanitary sewer's treatment plant, I have never heard of a muni not
allowing an irrigation well for that reason. They are typically more
concerned with preventing "cross connections" that might put untested
untreated water into the municipal system.

I personally know several people who have these, and they are not
"hidden" wells, there is nothing to hide. Its not at all unique or
that big a deal. Whether it is worth it would have a lot to do with
how much irrigation you do. This year, I did exactly zero at my
house.

-v.

"Travis Hayes" wrote in message ...
In one part of our county, the water table is high enough that no one builds
homes with basements in that area. As I was driving by one of the many new
housing developments the other day I wondered, if I lived in a swampy area
like that, could I just dig a hole and put a pump down there to pump up
water for irrigation? In the same area, culinary water is the only way to
get your lawn watered.

My gut says, "well, sure, it's your land, you have the rights to
anything you find on it, be it gold, toxic waste, or swamp water". But
then, I seem to recall that there are a lot of intricate laws on the books
specifically about water rights.

Just curious. Any thoughts?

Water rights are a big issue in the west. Just because water is under
your land doesn't mean it belongs to you and you are free to pump it
out. If it contributes to a groundwater system used by a municipality
there may be limits to the amount you are permitted to pump, etc.
Definitely something you need to check with your state natural
resources department.