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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>374703</law_id><section_number>62.1-11</section_number><catch_line>Waters declared natural resource; state regulation and conservation; limitations upon right to use</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="132" identifier="62.1">Waters of the State, Ports and Harbors</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="2" identifier="2">State Policy as to Waters</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Such <span class="dictionary">waters</span> are a natural resource which should be regulated by the Commonwealth. <a id="paragraph-1398699" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-11/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The regulation, control, development and use of <span class="dictionary">waters</span> for all purposes beneficial to the public are within the <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> of the Commonwealth which in the exercise of its police powers may establish measures to effectuate the proper and comprehensive utilization and protection of such <span class="dictionary">waters</span>. <a id="paragraph-1398700" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-11/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The changing wants and needs of the people of the Commonwealth may require the <span class="dictionary">water</span> resources of the Commonwealth to be put to uses beneficial to the public to the extent of which they are reasonably capable; the waste or unreasonable use or unreasonable method of use of <span class="dictionary">water</span> should be prevented; and the conservation of such <span class="dictionary">water</span> is to be exercised with a view to the welfare of the people of the Commonwealth and their interest in the reasonable and <span class="dictionary">beneficial use</span> thereof. <a id="paragraph-1398701" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-11/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The public welfare and interest of the people of the Commonwealth require the proper development, wise use, conservation and protection of <span class="dictionary">water</span> resources together with protection of land resources, as affected thereby. <a id="paragraph-1398702" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-11/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> The right to the use of <span class="dictionary">water</span> or to the flow of <span class="dictionary">water</span> in or from any natural stream, lake or other watercourse in this Commonwealth is and shall be limited to such <span class="dictionary">water</span> as may reasonably be required for the <span class="dictionary">beneficial use</span> of the public to be served; such right shall not extend to the waste or unreasonable use or unreasonable method of use of such <span class="dictionary">water</span>. <a id="paragraph-1398703" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-11/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> The quality of state <span class="dictionary">waters</span> is affected by the quantity of <span class="dictionary">water</span> and it is the <span class="dictionary">intent</span> of the Commonwealth, to the extent practicable, to maintain flow conditions to protect instream <span class="dictionary">beneficial uses</span> and public <span class="dictionary">water</span> supplies for human consumption. <a id="paragraph-1398704" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-11/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 62-9.2; 1954, c. 330; 1968, c. 659; 1989, c. 410.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
