On Jan. 9, 2026, the Central Nevada Water Authority board held a meeting to discuss claims of vested water rights. Jeff Fontaine, staff representative for Central Nevada Regional Water Authority, presented new state law requirements for formally claiming vested water rights.
According to Fontaine, vested water rights are “rights for water that were put to beneficial use or were used prior to the enactment of water laws in the state of Nevada.” In Nevada, laws were enacted in 1905 for springs and streams, in 1913 for artesian wells, and in 1939 for all groundwater.
A change in state law now requires these vested water rights to be formally claimed, rather than relying solely on historic or assumed use. If a claim is not filed, the right can be challenged, lose priority, or potentially be lost altogether.
According to information found in the background materials provided with agenda documents, “Any claimant of a pre-statutory water right must submit proof of the water use to the Nevada State Engineer on or before December 31, 2027, pursuant to NRS 533.087. If a claimant fails to submit such proof by the deadline, the claim is deemed abandoned.”
Additionally, the background information said that “Domestic wells used for household purposes are exempt from many water right requirements under Nevada law. Proof of Appropriation for domestic wells will not be required unless specifically requested by the Nevada Division of Water Resources.”
Claims must document location, source of water, type of usage, and proof that the usage existed before laws were made. Fontaine suggested filing claims sooner rather than later to avoid a possible rush before the deadline, saying, “There are lots of opportunities for participation if you file the vested claim to make your voice known.”
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