Buyer beware.  Whether you are looking to buy property with water rights or own water rights currently, this is one you don’t want to miss.  Andy Dunn, water rights expert and hydrogeologist with RH2 Engineering shares the top 10 things he has observed over the past 21 years working on water rights in Washington State.  

Here are Andy Dunn's top 10 things to know before buying property with water rights:

1. Look at the entire water right record for a water right that you are purchasing (or that you hold). [3:21]
2. Don’t blindly trust a real estate agent when it comes to water rights on the property. [12:41]
3. Know that a water right place of use can be larger than the number of authorized irrigated acres. [13:45]
4. The property may only cover a portion of a water right’s place of use. [16:41]
5. Assuming that owning the property containing the well or diversion is equal to owning the water right. [19:43]
6. Purchasing a property with a permit on it, but not getting the permit assigned over to you in Ecology’s records as part of the property transaction. [21:19]
7. Know and follow the provisions on your water right(s). [25:32]
8. Be aware of the location when drilling an additional or replacement well. [31:27]
9. Keep records associated with the source of water or water use. [35:52]
10. Use a water rights attorney to help you with a water right issue. [40:10]

RESOURCES

• Work with Andy Dunn, RH2 Engineering
• Washington Department of Ecology’s water rights document search 
• Search and work with a water right attorney
• Subscribe for future podcast episodes and market updates
• Western Water Market

GET IN TOUCH

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