Revised Code of Washington
2024 Archive

Chapter 90.03 RCW
WATER CODE
PDF of Chapter Digest
PDF of Complete Chapter
Sections
90.03.005State water policyCooperation with other agenciesReduction of wasteful practices.
90.03.010Appropriation of water rightsExisting rights preserved.
90.03.015Definitions.
90.03.020Units of water measurement.
90.03.030Right to convey water along lake or streamConveyance to intake structure in neighboring state.
90.03.040Eminent domainUse of water declared public use.
90.03.060Water mastersAppointment, compensation.
90.03.070Water mastersDutiesOffice space and equipmentClerical assistance.
90.03.090Water master's power of arrest.
90.03.100Prosecuting attorney, legal assistant.
90.03.105Petition by planning units for general adjudication.
90.03.110Determination of water rightsPetitionStatement and plan.
90.03.120Determination of water rightsOrderSummonsNecessary partiesUse of innovative practices and technologies encouraged.
90.03.130Determination of water rightsService of summons.
90.03.140Determination of water rightsAdjudication claim by defendant.
90.03.150Determination of water rightsGuardian ad litem for defendant.
90.03.160Determination of water rightsResponse to motions under RCW 90.03.640(3)Notice of intent to cross-examineAppointment of a refereeSpecial rules of procedure.
90.03.180Determination of water rightsFiling fee.
90.03.200Determination of water rightsFinal decree and notice of decreePayment of feesAppellate review of decree.
90.03.210Determination of water rightsInterim regulation of waterAppeals.
90.03.220Determination of water rightsFailure to appearEstoppel.
90.03.230Determination of water rightsCopy of decree to director.
90.03.240Determination of water rightsCertificate of adjudicated water rightNoticeFees.
90.03.243Determination of water rightsState to bear its expenses, whenCounty must be provided extraordinary costs imposed due to adjudication.
90.03.245Determination of water rightsScope.
90.03.247Minimum flows and levelsDepartmental authority exclusiveOther recommendations considered.
90.03.250Appropriation procedureApplication for permitTemporary permit.
90.03.252Use of reclaimed water by wastewater treatment facilityPermit requirements inapplicable.
90.03.255Applications for water right, transfer, or changeConsideration of water impoundment or other resource management technique.
90.03.260Appropriation procedureApplicationContents.
90.03.265Appropriation procedureCost-reimbursement agreement for expedited review of applicationAdoption of rules.
90.03.270Appropriation procedureRecord of application.
90.03.280Appropriation procedureNotice.
90.03.290Appropriation procedureDepartment to investigatePreliminary permitFindings and action on application.
90.03.300Appropriation procedureDiversion of water for out-of-state useReciprocity.
90.03.310Appropriation procedureAssignability of permit or application.
90.03.320Appropriation procedureConstruction work.
90.03.330Appropriation procedureWater right certificate.
90.03.340Appropriation procedureEffective date of water right.
90.03.345Establishment of reservations of water for certain purposes and minimum flows or levels as constituting appropriations with priority dates.
90.03.350Construction or modification of storage damPlans and specificationsAdditional dam safety inspection requirements for metals mining and milling operations.
90.03.360Controlling works and measuring devicesMetering of diversionsImpact on fish stock.
90.03.370Reservoir permitsSecondary permitsExpedited processingUnderground artificial storage and recovery project standards and rulesExemptionsReport to the legislature.
90.03.380Right to water attaches to landTransfer or change in point of diversionTransfer of rights from one district to anotherPriority of water rights applicationsExemption for small irrigation impoundmentsElectronic notice of an application for an interbasin water rights transfer.
90.03.383IntertiesFindingsDefinitionsReview and approval.
90.03.386Coordination of approval procedures for compliance and consistency with approved water system plan.
90.03.390Temporary changesEmergency intertiesRotation in use.
90.03.395Change of point of diversion to downstream intake structureIntent.
90.03.397Department may approve change of the point of diversion prescribed in a permit to appropriate surface waterRequirements.
90.03.400Crimes against water codeUnauthorized use of water.
90.03.410Crimes against water codeInterference with worksWrongful use of waterProperty destructionPenalty.
90.03.420Crimes against water codeObstruction of right-of-way.
90.03.430Partnership ditchesAction for reimbursement for work done.
90.03.440Partnership ditchesProcedure for division of water between joint owners.
90.03.450Partnership ditchesLien for labor performed.
90.03.460Inchoate rights not affected.
90.03.470Schedule of fees.
90.03.471Disposition of fees.
90.03.500Stormwater control facilitiesImposition of rates and chargesLegislative findings.
90.03.510Stormwater control facilitiesImposition of rates and chargesCredit for other improvements.
90.03.520Stormwater control facilitiesImposition of rates and chargesDefinitions.
90.03.525Stormwater control facilitiesImposition of rates and charges with respect to state highway rights-of-wayAnnual plan for expenditure of charges.
90.03.540Highway construction improvement projectsJoint stormwater treatment facilities.
90.03.550Municipal water supply purposesBeneficial uses.
90.03.560Municipal water supply purposesIdentification.
90.03.570Change or transfer of an unperfected surface water right for municipal water supply purposes.
90.03.580Failing public water systemConditions.
90.03.590Municipal water suppliersWatershed agreementPilot project.
90.03.591New watershed agreements prohibited after July 1, 2008.
90.03.600Civil penalties.
90.03.605ComplianceSequence of enforcement measuresLocation of compliance personnel.
90.03.615Calculating annual consumptive quantity.
90.03.620Water rights adjudicationDisqualification of judge.
90.03.625Water rights adjudicationMotion for default.
90.03.630Water rights adjudicationUse for which a statement of claim is required.
90.03.635Water rights adjudicationFiling of evidence.
90.03.640Water rights adjudicationPreliminary investigationDepartment's report of findings.
90.03.645Water rights adjudicationEarly settlement encouragedApproval of settlement.
90.03.650Water rights processing account.
90.03.655Expedited processing of applicationsOn department's own volitionNoticeFees.
90.03.660Expedited processing of applicationsNotice to tribal governments.
90.03.665Certified water right examinersFeesRules.
90.03.670Processing of water right applicationsScope of chapter 285, Laws of 2010.
90.03.675Stormwater retention pondsMosquito abatement.
90.03.680Water commissionersAppointmentTraining.
90.03.683Water commissionersAuthority in a water rights adjudicationActs and proceedings subject to revision by superior court.
NOTES:
Prior acts on this subject: Code 1881 c 141; 1889 pp 706-728 ss 1-67, 1889 p 728 s 1; 1889 p 729 ss 1-2; 1891 c 142; 1899 c 131; 1901 cc 30, 33, 36; 1903 c 53; 1907 c 144; and 1909 c 209.
Aquifer protection areas: Chapter 36.36 RCW.