About the Conference

When it comes to water use in the west, the general rule is "first in time, first in right," otherwise known as the prior appropriations doctrine. However, another saying holds that "there are always exceptions to the rule." The most common water-use exception is the exemption of certain water uses from many states' water rights management processes. Exempt domestic wells supply water for residential development in many areas of the western United States. Expansion in the use of exempt domestic wells has raised widespread concerns about the sustainability of the groundwater supply, and created conflict between traditional water rights holders and water users that rely on exempt domestic wells due to surface-groundwater interactions and well interferences.

This conference will provide a forum for professionals engaged in groundwater development, water management, land planning, and water policy to discuss the impacts that exempt domestic wells have on water supplies and land development at the local and regional level. The goal of the conference is to identify the critical issues associated with the management and impacts of exempt domestic wells, and to stimulate new ideas to solve the conflicts that have arisen between traditional water rights holders and water users that rely on exempt domestic wells.

Who should participate:

• Water policy-makers from state and local government
• Water attorneys
• Water managers from local, state and federal agencies
• Land-use planners
• Realtors and developers
• Well drillers