Water Supply and Distribution

Public Policy Position

WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION

The League of Women Voters of Virginia believes that modifications should be made to Virginia's water laws, based on the riparian doctrine and the Ground Water Act of 1973.

Specifically we believe that:

• The law should recognize the connection between ground and surface water;
• Decisions about reasonable use of ground water should include the concept of sharing, as in the riparian doctrine;
• Exemptions in the Ground Water Act of 1973 should be tightened; and
• If the resolution of conflicts is in the Courts, expert technical advice should be provided.

The League believes that the state must fulfill its responsibility for gathering information about Virginia's water resources, planning for future supply, and giving assistance to localities about their water supplies; and that:

• The designated agency must be strengthened and adequately funded;
• The state should have a strong land-use policy that recognizes that water and land-use planning are indivisible; and
• The state should take the lead, both by education and by legislation, in promoting water conservation. (1983)

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