Definitions and General Provisions (South Dakota Codified Laws: Title 46 Water Rights; Chapter 46-1) Country/Territory United States of America Territorial subdivision South Dakota Document type Legislation Date 2018 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Water Keyword Water rights Surface water Groundwater Freshwater resources management Water abstraction Water conservation zone Water quality standards Freshwater pollution Pollution control Waste disposal Offences/penalties Authorization/permit Geographical area Americas, Arctic, East Pacific, North America, North Atlantic Abstract This Chapter of South Dakota Codified Laws contains definitions and general provisions relating to water rights. It declares that the people of the state have a paramount interest in the use of all the water of the state and that the state shall determine what water of the state, surface and underground, can be converted to public use or controlled for public protection. It also declares the protection of the public interest in the development of the water resources of the state is of vital concern to the people of the state and that the state shall determine in what way the water of the state, both surface and underground, should be developed for the greatest public benefit. It states that all water within the state is the property of the people of the state, but the right to the use of water may be acquired by appropriation as provided by law. The Chapter further provides for beneficial use of water resources, prevention of waste, right to water from natural stream or watercourse; domestic use of water takes precedence over appropriative rights, governmental use; standards of measurement, flow of water, volume of water; measure and limit of right to use of waters; vested rights; violations of water use laws as misdemeanors; grant of water right for use outside state; permit required for appropriation of waters; and the authority of chief engineer to issue permits. Full text English Website sdlegislature.gov