§ 90.03.400 — Crimes against water code—Unauthorized use of water.

Washington § 90.03.400

• Jurisdiction: Washington
• Title 90: WATER RIGHTS—ENVIRONMENT
• Ch. 90.03: WATER CODE

Text

(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.

Reviser's note: The effective date of 2003 c 53 s 418 is July 1, 2004. However, 2003 c 53 s 418 was amended by 2003 1st sp.s. c 15 s 2 which has an effective date of September 9, 2003. Consequently, the effective date of this section is September 9, 2003.

Intent — Effective date — 2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180 .

Legislative History

[2003 1st sp.s. c 15 s 2;2003 c 53 s 418;1917 c 117 s 40; RRS s 7392. Formerly RCW90.32.010.]