24 ms·

isn't the issue that there is let’s say 40,000 units of water rights for 20,000 units of actual water, so there is no possible way for everyone to get their “wa

isn't the issue that there is let’s say 40,000 units of water rights for 20,000 units of actual water, so there is no possible way for everyone to get their “water rights” and all the water in the river and ground will be used to the detriment of the environment and ability for the aquifers to supply it. Works for a while and then now all the waters gone, ooops.

s1artibartfast 4y ago
Water rights also come with priority. When there aren't enough units, they describe who gets what is available and who goes without. Historically, non replenishable Groundwater has been treated like oil or mineral deposits, if you own it, you can use it up.
- katbyte 4y ago
  Thus leading to the over use of surface water, depletion of ground water, extinctions, and environmental damage we are seeing right now..
- HWR_14 4y ago
  If you can reach groundwater (and multiple people can) it's a race to use it up before someone else does.
  - s1artibartfast 4y ago
    This isn't exactly correct. IF someone has higher priority and cant get water, they can sue other users to make them stop.
    - HWR_14 4y ago
      Groundwater doesn't follow the same priority system (in most states). Nor is there anything stopping people in border areas from taking all the water in another state's aquifer.
      - s1artibartfast 4y ago
        I'm most familiar with California which absolutely has Groundwater priority. Interstate groundwater conflicts come up less frequently but there is a framework for deciding them. You may be interested in this recent Supreme Court ruling on exactly that subject. https://globalwaterforum.org/2021/12/21/u-s-supreme-court-issues-decision-in-first-ever-dispute-over-interstate-groundwater-implications-for-international-law/ https://globalwaterforum.org/2021/12/21/u-s-supreme-court-is...
    - katbyte 4y ago
      Except how do you know who’s using your ground water? It could be someone 20k away creating a depression in the water table with a deeper well so it drops just below yours. It’s far more complex then you seem to think it is

s1artibartfast 4y ago

Water rights also come with priority. When there aren't enough units, they describe who gets what is available and who goes without. Historically, non replenishable Groundwater has been treated like oil or mineral deposits, if you own it, you can use it up.

katbyte 4y ago
Thus leading to the over use of surface water, depletion of ground water, extinctions, and environmental damage we are seeing right now..
HWR_14 4y ago
If you can reach groundwater (and multiple people can) it's a race to use it up before someone else does.
- s1artibartfast 4y ago
  This isn't exactly correct. IF someone has higher priority and cant get water, they can sue other users to make them stop.
  - HWR_14 4y ago
    Groundwater doesn't follow the same priority system (in most states). Nor is there anything stopping people in border areas from taking all the water in another state's aquifer.
    - s1artibartfast 4y ago
      I'm most familiar with California which absolutely has Groundwater priority. Interstate groundwater conflicts come up less frequently but there is a framework for deciding them. You may be interested in this recent Supreme Court ruling on exactly that subject. https://globalwaterforum.org/2021/12/21/u-s-supreme-court-issues-decision-in-first-ever-dispute-over-interstate-groundwater-implications-for-international-law/ https://globalwaterforum.org/2021/12/21/u-s-supreme-court-is...
  - katbyte 4y ago
    Except how do you know who’s using your ground water? It could be someone 20k away creating a depression in the water table with a deeper well so it drops just below yours. It’s far more complex then you seem to think it is