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Sarah is a broker representing a buyer interested in purchasing a rural property in Okanogan County, Washington. The property relies on a well for domestic water supply. The seller states the well was drilled in 1998 and 'no water right permit is needed for a domestic well.' Which of the following best describes the accuracy of the seller's statement under Washington law?

Correct Answer

B) The seller is partially correct; small domestic wells that withdraw no more than 5,000 gallons per day are generally exempt from permit requirements under Washington's permit-exempt groundwater rule.

Under RCW 90.44.050, Washington law provides a permit exemption for certain small-scale groundwater withdrawals, commonly called 'permit-exempt' wells. Domestic uses that withdraw no more than 5,000 gallons per day for household use, stock watering, irrigation of a lawn or noncommercial garden up to one-half acre, or industrial purposes are generally exempt from the full water right permit process. However, these wells are still subject to the prior appropriation doctrine and can be curtailed if they interfere with senior water rights. The seller's statement is partially correct but overly broad.

Answer Options
A
The seller is entirely correct; all domestic wells in Washington are exempt from water right permit requirements regardless of the volume used.
B
The seller is partially correct; small domestic wells that withdraw no more than 5,000 gallons per day are generally exempt from permit requirements under Washington's permit-exempt groundwater rule.
C
The seller is incorrect; all wells in Washington, including domestic wells, require a full water right permit from the Department of Ecology before drilling.
D
The seller is partially correct; domestic wells are exempt from permits only if the property was purchased before 1985 and the well was drilled within two years of purchase.

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

water_rightspermit_exempt_wellgroundwaterdomestic_welldepartment_of_ecology

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