Dear Blick, Herb, Michael, X-Air, and WeatherCat drought watchers,
Utah passed a law a few years ago that says that all water belongs to the state unless you have proof of purchase for water rights.
. . . .
I suspect that this was actually some sort of attempt to reign in disputed water rights claims with respect to for example how groundwater is replenished. In California there was a lot of complaining about institutions with preexisting water rights. For example the Hearst family has an estate in northern California with the rights of all the water from a substantial stream. This was pointed to as an example of the rich wasting water while the rest of the state struggled with shortages.
Honestly, it sounds like a silly law at the level of homeowners. Perhaps some Utah legislator will realize the political advantages to permitting residences to collect precipitation for home use (perhaps with a limit on the size of collection containers.) Considering how
"patriotic" is has become to use water wisely, it sounds like a bill that would translate into votes next election.
It is a very sad state of affairs no matter how you look at it . . . . .
Edouard