RCW 90.03.400

Crimes against water code—Unauthorized use of water.

Applied in 2 court decisions — leading case Allstate Ins. Co. v. Peasley (1997)

Most recently applied in Allstate Ins. Co. v. Peasley (March 1997)

2003 1st sp.s. c 15 s 2; 2003 c 53 s 418; 1917 c 117 s 40; RRS s 7392

(1)(a) The unauthorized use of water to which another person is entitled or the willful or negligent waste of water to the detriment of another, is a misdemeanor.

(b) For instances of the waste of water under this subsection, the department may alternatively follow the sequence of enforcement actions as provided in RCW 90.03.605.

(2) The possession or use of water without legal right shall be prima facie evidence of the guilt of the person using it.

(3) It is also a misdemeanor to use, store, or divert any water until after the issuance of permit to appropriate such water.

Official source: Washington State Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain Washington statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.