Determination of Water Rights (Utah Code: Title 73 Water and Irrigation; Chapter 4)

This chapter of the Utah Code concerns determination of water rights. It provides that five or more, or a majority of, water users of a water source may submit a signed, verified petition to the state engineer requesting an investigation of the rights of all claimants to the water of the water source; upon receipt of a petition, the state engineer shall (i) investigate whether the facts and circumstances of the water source and its claimants justify a general determination of water rights; and (ii) if justified, file an action in the district court for a general adjudication of water rights. It further provides that in any suit involving water rights the court may order an investigation by the state engineer of all the water rights on the source or system involved, as provided in this chapter.