Nevada · statute · Nev. Rev. Stat. ch. 534 · 61 active provisions
1. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 534.0105 to 534.0175, inclusive, have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections. 2. As used in this chapter, the terms “underground water” and “groundwater” are synonymous.
“Aquifer” means a geological formation or structure that stores or transmits water, or both.
“Area of active management” means an area: 1. In which the State Engineer is conducting particularly close monitoring and regulation of the water supply because of heavy use of that supply; and 2. Which has received that designation by the State Engineer pursuant to NRS 534.030.
“Area of hydrologic effect” means the surface area of land covering the extent of hydrologic response of water recharged pursuant to a project to recharge.
“Artesian well” means a well tapping an aquifer underlying an impervious material in which the static water level in the well stands above where it is first encountered in the aquifer.
“Augmentation” means to increase the volume of stored water in a system of aquifers by artificially introducing water into that system.
“Domestic use” or “domestic purposes” extends to culinary and household purposes directly related to: 1. A single-family dwelling; and 2. An accessory dwelling unit for a single-family dwelling if provided for in an applicable local ordinance, Ê including, without limitation, the watering of a family garden and lawn an…
“Percolating waters” are underground waters, the course and boundaries of which are incapable of determination.
“Person” includes any municipal corporation, power district, political subdivision of this or any state, or an agency of the United States Government.
“Project” means a facility designed and constructed to add water to a system of aquifers, store water underground and recover that water pursuant to a permit issued pursuant to NRS 534.250.
“Recharged water” means water that reaches or percolates into an aquifer or system of aquifers: 1. Through natural processes; 2. By secondary recharge as a result of beneficial uses; or 3. Artificially through facilities specifically constructed for that purpose.
“Storage account” means an account established pursuant to NRS 534.300 for a project for underground storage and recovery.
“Stored water” means water which has been stored underground for the purpose of recovery pursuant to a permit issued pursuant to NRS 534.250.
“Waste” means causing, suffering or permitting any artesian well to discharge water unnecessarily above or below the surface of the ground so that the waters thereof are lost for beneficial use or in any canal or ditch conveying water from a well where the loss of water in transit is more than 20 percent of the amount…
“Well driller” means any person who drills a well or wells, for compensation or otherwise.
“Well drilling” or “drilling a well” are synonymous, and mean drilling or boring new wells, placing casing in wells, cleaning and repairing existing wells, cementing wells and doing all other things normally associated with the construction or rehabilitation of wells.
1. All underground waters within the boundaries of the State belong to the public, and, subject to all existing rights to the use thereof, are subject to appropriation for beneficial use only under the laws of this State relating to the appropriation and use of water and not otherwise. 2. It is the intention of the Leg…
The removal of groundwater from any basin in Nevada, to alleviate potential hazards to persons and property resulting from the rise of groundwater caused by secondary recharge, is hereby declared to be a beneficial use if it is accomplished pursuant to the terms and conditions of a waiver issued pursuant to paragraph (…
1. Upon receipt by the State Engineer of a petition requesting the State Engineer to administer the provisions of this chapter as relating to designated areas, signed by not less than 40 percent of the appropriators of record in the Office of the State Engineer, in any particular basin or portion therein, the State Eng…
1. In each area designated as a groundwater basin by the State Engineer pursuant to the provisions of NRS 534.030, the board of county commissioners may recommend to the State Engineer that the State Engineer establish a groundwater board. The State Engineer shall determine whether or not a groundwater board is to be e…
1. In a basin that has been designated as a critical management area by the State Engineer pursuant to subsection 7 of NRS 534.110, a petition for the approval of a groundwater management plan for the basin may be submitted to the State Engineer. The petition must: (a) Be signed by the holders of permits or certificate…
1. If the State Engineer designates a basin as a critical management area pursuant to subsection 7 of NRS 534.110, the State Engineer shall, in the order designating the critical management area, affirm or modify the perennial yield of the designated basin. 2. The State Engineer may, by order, modify the perennial yiel…
1. Upon the initiation of the administration of this chapter in any particular basin, and where the investigations of the State Engineer have shown the necessity for the supervision over the waters of that basin, the State Engineer may employ a well supervisor and other necessary assistants, who shall execute the dutie…
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2 and NRS 534.180, every person desiring to sink or bore a well in any basin or portion therein in the State designated by the State Engineer, as provided for in this chapter, must first make application to and obtain from the State Engineer a permit to appropriate the wate…
1. During the sinking or boring of a well the permittee shall cause to be placed in the well a proper and sufficient casing approved by the State Engineer, so arranged as to prevent the caving in of the well and to prevent the escape of water therefrom through any intervening sand or gravel stratum, which casing must b…