Any person desiring to make reasonable domestic use of water from any source may do so without obtaining a permit from the Water Management Board, except that no person may construct a dam across any dry–draw for any purpose, including domestic use, if the dam will impound more than twenty–five acre–feet of water, without first obtaining a permit from the board. Permits for dams on streams or dry–draws for domestic or other uses are subject to the doctrine of prior appropriation. Domestic users other than water distribution systems may register a domestic well with the board to document the location and output of their water supply and the quality of its water. The registration of a domestic well is not subject to the procedures for appropriation of water under chapters 46-5, 46-6, and the procedure contained in chapter 46-2A. The fee for registration is twenty–five dollars.

Source: SL 1955, ch 430, § 1; SDC Supp 1960, § 61.0107; SL 1978, ch 319, § 1; SL 1983, ch 314, § 45.