water rights policy

Water rights policy determines who has legal permission to use specific amounts of water from natural sources like rivers, lakes, or aquifers. These rights can be based on various legal principles, such as prior appropriation (first come, first served) or riparian rights (landowners next to water source). Policies aim to balance competing needs—agriculture, industry, communities, ecosystems—by regulating usage, preventing conflicts, and ensuring sustainable management. Effective water rights systems promote equitable access, conservation, and responsible use, supporting social, economic, and environmental health.