Water Code (Revised Code of Washington (RCW): Title 90 Water Rights—Environment; Chapter 90.03) Country/Territory United States of America Territorial subdivision State of Washington Document type Legislation Date 2018 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Water Keyword Basic legislation Surface water Inland waters Water rights Indigenous peoples Property rights Freshwater resources management Pollution control Water quality standards Freshwater pollution Geographical area Americas, Arctic, East Pacific, North America, North Atlantic Abstract This Chapter of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) adopts the Water Code of Washington. It declares that it is the policy of the state to promote the use of the public waters in a fashion which provides for obtaining maximum net benefits arising from both diversionary uses of the state's public waters and the retention of waters within streams and lakes in sufficient quantity and quality to protect instream and natural values and rights. Consistent with this policy, the state supports economically feasible and environmentally sound development of physical facilities through the concerted efforts of the state with the United States, public corporations, Indian tribes, or other public or private entities. Further, based on the tenet of water law which precludes wasteful practices in the exercise of rights to the use of waters, the department of ecology shall reduce these practices to the maximum extent practicable, taking into account sound principles of water management, the benefits and costs of improved water use efficiency, and the most effective use of public and private funds, and, when appropriate, to work to that end in concert with the agencies of the United States and other public and private entities. Full text English Website leg.wa.gov