| OCR Text |
Show 764 WASHINGTON section 3.2 infra, sets forth the protection afforded owners of riparian rights and the registration requirements for unrecorded water rights. The responsibility of the director in assisting the courts in the statu- tory adjudication of water rights is discussed in section 2.2, infra. D. DISTRIBUTION OF WATER To aid in the administration of water rights, the director may appoint water masters to distribute water among those users having rights on the same source. Water masters are State employees and are responsible to the director.23 In order to facilitate the water distribution program, the director may designate water districts and may adjust the boundaries of such districts from time to time as local conditions dictate.24 The primary responsibility of the water- master is to divide the water supply among the users according to their respective rights and priorities and to prevent a use of water in excess of the amount to which a user is legally entitled.25 In those areas of the State where the rights on a stream have been adjudicated, a stream patrolman may be appointed by the di- rector upon application by interested parties showing a necessity therefor. The patrolman's appointment must be approved by the district watermaster, and he is under the supervision of both the director and the District watermaster. A stream patrolman has the same powers as a watermaster, but his authority is confined to the stream he is appointed to administer.26 Water users are required to install and maintain adequate measur- ing devices and control facilities.27 It is unlawful to interfere with the regulation of these works or with storage or water carriage facili- ties.28 Special statutory provisions relate to the maintenance and operation of partnership ditches.29 E. WATER QUALITY CONTROL As noted above, under Washington's new coordinated water re- source management program, water quality control is also vested in the Department of Ecology.30 In order to carry out this responsibility and achieve the purposes of the act, the director is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations, including the adoption of regu- lations relating to standards of quality for the waters of the State.31 The act prohibits the discharge of any matter into the waters of the State which will result in pollution,82 and all plans and specifi- cations for the construction of new sewer systems or the extension of existing sewer systems must be approved by the director.33 Any person conducting a commercial or industrial operation which results in the disposal of wastes into the waters of the State as Sec. 90.03.060. «Sec. 90.03.060. «Sec. 90.03.070. »>Sec. 90.08.040. "Sec. 90.06.360. «Secs. 90.03.410 and 90.03.420. 89 Sees. 90.03.430. 90.03.440 and 90.03.450. 8» Sees. 43.21A.020 and 43.21A.060. »Sec. 90.48.035. MSec. 90.48.080. sa Sec. 90.48.110. |
