A permitholder may change the purpose of use of a conditional or perfected water permit without affecting the priority date, if approved by the department of water resources.

Applications for a change in the purpose of use must be processed and evaluated in the same manner as a conditional water permit application. A change in the purpose of use may be authorized only for a superior use as determined by the order of priority in section 61-04-06.1. The department may approve the proposed change if the proposed change will not adversely affect the rights of other appropriators.