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HomeWater CodeDiv. 2Pt. 1Ch. 1§ 1016 Water Transfer Reversion Rights

§ 1016 Water Transfer Reversion Rights

Water Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1016 Water Transfer Reversion Rights

This law says that when a water sharing deal ends, the water goes back to the original owner. The person who got the water can't ask to keep using it after the deal is over.

Key Takeaways

  • •When a water sharing deal ends, the water goes back to the original owner.
  • •The person who got the water can't ask to keep using it after the deal is over.
  • •No excuses like 'we really need it' or 'we didn't know' will work.

Example

A farmer lets a nearby town use some of his water for 10 years. After 10 years, the deal ends.

The town can't say they still need the water or try to keep using it. The water goes back to the farmer, and the town has to find another source.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1016 Water Transfer Reversion Rights

(a) At the conclusion of the term of a water transfer agreement, all rights in, and the use of, the water subject to the agreement revert back to the transferor. (b) After the conclusion of the term of a water transfer agreement, the transferee or any beneficiary of the transfer shall not do either of the following: (1) Bring any claim for a continuation of the water supply made available by the agreement. (2) Claim any right to a continued supply of water as a result of the transfer, based on reliance, estoppel, intervening public use, prescription, water shortage emergency, or unforeseen or unforeseeable increases in demand, or any other cause. (Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 938, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2000.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

water transfer agreementtransferortransfereerights in, and the use of, the water

Related Statutes

  • § 1015 Water Transfer Violation Assessment
  • § 100 Water Use And Conservation
  • § 100.5 Water Use Reasonableness Factors
  • § 1000 Water Use Definition
  • § 10004 California Water Plan Updates

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Water Code. Section 1016.
View Official Source