Public Nature and Use of Surface Water (Arizona Revised Statutes: Title 45 Waters; Chapter 1 Administration and General Provisions; Article 4) Country/Territory United States of America Territorial subdivision Arizona Document type Legislation Date 2022 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Water Keyword Surface water Water abstraction Water rights Inland waters Groundwater Flood Expropriation Freshwater resources management Ecofriendly products/ecofriendly processes Water conservation zone Geographical area Americas, Arctic, East Pacific, North America, North Atlantic Abstract This article of the Arizona Revised Statutes concerns the public nature and use of surface water. It provides that the waters of all sources, flowing in streams, canyons, ravines or other natural channels, or in definite underground channels, whether perennial or intermittent, flood, waste or surplus water, and of lakes, ponds and springs on the surface, belong to the public and are subject to appropriation and beneficial use as provided in this chapter. It further provides that, unless otherwise provided by law, when the owner of a right to the use of water ceases or fails to use the water appropriated for five successive years, the right to the use shall cease, and the water shall revert to the public and shall again be subject to appropriation. Full text English Website www.azleg.gov