(1) All ditches now or hereafter constructed, for the purpose of utilizing waste, spring or seepage waters, shall be governed by the same laws relating to priority of right as those ditches constructed for the purpose of utilizing the waters of running streams. However, the person upon whose lands the seepage or spring waters first arise shall have the right to the use of such waters.
(2) As used in this section, “spring” means a point where water emerges naturally from the earth as a result of gravity flow or artesian pressure.