Reasonable Use

Definition

Reasonable use is a legal doctrine that allocates water rights, allowing for the fair and equitable use of water resources among various users.

Purpose

The purpose of reasonable use is to ensure that water resources are used in a manner that is fair, sustainable, and beneficial to all stakeholders, preventing overuse or harm to others.

Examples of Use

• In agriculture, reasonable use allows farmers to draw water from a shared river or aquifer without depleting the resource or harming downstream users.
• Urban water management plans incorporate reasonable use principles to balance the needs of residential, commercial, and environmental water demands.
• Legal disputes over water rights often rely on the reasonable use doctrine to resolve conflicts between different users.

Related Terms

• Riparian Rights: The rights of landowners to use water from a river or stream that borders their property.
• Appropriative Rights: The rights to divert water from its source for beneficial use, based on priority.
• Water Law: The body of law governing the ownership, control, and use of water resources.

Notes

The reasonable use doctrine is essential for managing limited water resources, ensuring that all users have access while protecting the sustainability of the water supply.