Understanding Permits and Regulations
What you need to know about water rights from a Colorado irrigation expert.
Even when installing an eco-friendly water conservation system, you must first have the water rights to do so. Any diversion or use of water in Colorado is governed by the Prior Appropriation System.
What is the Prior Appropriation System in Colorado?
Throughout Colorado, water usage is allocated by the Prior Appropriation System, which monitors things such as how much water is used, what it is used for, and when it is used.
Water diverted from streams for irrigation purposes is on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that with a court decree, the first person to make a claim on the water has priority over others who also use it. Each of the seven major stream basins in Colorado is under the jurisdiction of its own water court, so decrees must be issued by the proper court for appropriation rights.
Water rights in Colorado are reviewed every 10 years to determine if any have been abandoned, making them available to someone else for appropriation.
So what does this mean for you?
Getting a Permit for Irrigation Systems
Conserving water is always top-of-mind for us, but a permit may be required before we can move forward with the design you’ve selected from Colorado Outdoor Environments. Depending on where you’re located in Colorado, irrigation permits may be required if you’re installing a system from scratch or overhauling an existing one.
Some municipalities require an inspection for irrigation systems and will meet with the irrigation installers to ensure compliance. Let’s talk about what your city requires of you and how we can help.
How Colorado Outdoor Environments Helps
To protect our water supply in Colorado, Outdoor Environments strives to design, install, and maintain irrigation systems that conserve water without sacrificing green space. Our efficient and cost-effective irrigation designs are suited for not just residences, but commercial lots, ranches, and municipal projects.
Water permits ensure that commercial and residential irrigation projects comply with local regulations. There may be guidelines for when you can water, and for how long in each zone. Thanks to our innovative technology, you can install a system with smart technology that recognizes when a zone doesn’t need watering, or when there’s a leak.
Let Us Handle the Paperwork
These eco-friendly features of our irrigation systems may be just the ticket for securing access to water rights for use on your property, whether you’re using a sprinkler system with above-ground heads, drip lines, or installing a new pump station. In addition to offering our expertise and smart technology, we’ll also help you with permit submission and water rights management.
Learn more about what we offer on our services page.
Let’s Chat
We have decades of experience in this field and our customer service and design teams are ready to help you set up eco-friendly irrigation for your property, whether big or small. Schedule a call today to discuss your water management goals, and whether or not you need to apply for permits.