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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>364194</law_id><section_number>45.2-1648</section_number><catch_line> Operator&amp;#8217;s right to sample water</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="99" identifier="45.2">Mines, Minerals, and Energy</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="4" identifier="IV">Gas and Oil</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="16">Virginia Gas and Oil Act</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="5" identifier="5">Replacement of Water by Gas Well Operators</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>An operator may enter upon surface land at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner to obtain samples of water from any <span class="dictionary">water well</span> that is (i) located within 1,320 feet of a proposed or existing <span class="dictionary">gas</span> well and (ii) actually being utilized by the <span class="dictionary">surface owner</span> or occupant for domestic use. If the <span class="dictionary">surface owner</span> or occupant refuses to allow the operator to sample or causes the operator to be prevented from sampling any such <span class="dictionary">water well</span>, the operator shall promptly notify the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of such refusal or prevention. The <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall maintain a record of such notifications. In the event of such a refusal or prevention, the <span class="dictionary">surface owner</span> shall not be entitled to the remedies set forth in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title=" Replacement of water supply" href="/45.2-1649/">45.2-1649</a>.</p></section></text><history>1998, c. 227, &#xA7; 45.1-361.43; 2009, c. 293; 2017, c. 17; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
