As a general rule, an element of a groundwater right is the right to use waters of quality appropriate to the beneficial use. In addition to the protection of the availability of groundwater to the water withdrawal facilities of groundwater right holders, it shall be the policy of the department to protect the quality of the groundwaters of the state and in relation thereto to discourage any withdrawal facilities, construction methods, water use, or disposal practices which would contaminate or otherwise reduce the quality of the groundwaters or impair the beneficial uses of groundwaters of the state. Local governments with land use authority are urged to exercise their authorities in such a manner as to protect the quality of the public groundwaters reserved for future public water supply by this chapter.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
90.54.050(1). WSR 86-15-029 (Order DE-86-16), § 173-591-100, filed 7/14/86.]