About J Brown
J Brown is a water rights attorney at Brown & Brown Law Offices PC representing landowners and stakeholders in Saint Johns, Arizona. Arizona water law is codified in Title 45 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, governed by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, and structured around the doctrine of prior appropriation for surface water, the Groundwater Management Act of 1980, and the ongoing Gila and Little Colorado River general stream adjudications. See contact information below.
This profile was compiled from publicly available information. Is this your profile? Claim it to add your bio, photo, and more.
Education
- Law School: Phoenix School of Law
Common questions about Water Rights in Arizona
Answered by Arizona Attorney Search Network
Can I drill a well in Arizona?
Outside AMAs and INAs, generally yes - reasonable use of groundwater on overlying land is permitted under ARS § 45-453. Inside AMAs, new exempt wells (typically domestic, less than 35 gallons per minute) are allowed but face increasing restrictions. Larger wells inside AMAs require permits and proof of grandfathered or 'irrigation' rights. The Arizona Department of Water Resources administers the well-registration system.
Does Arizona have water for the future?
Constrained but managed. Arizona's water supply mix - Colorado River (uncertain due to reductions), groundwater (subject to AMA constraints), Salt and Verde river systems (CAP and SRP), and reclaimed water - is enough at current usage with active management, but the Tier 2 Colorado River reduction effective 2024 has tightened the picture. Long-term sustainability requires reduction in agricultural and urban use, settlement of remaining tribal rights, and continued conservation.
Can I lose water rights from non-use in Arizona?
Yes. Surface water rights under prior appropriation are subject to forfeiture for 5 years of continuous non-use under ARS § 45-189, with limited exceptions for force majeure, conservation, and recognized non-use rationale. The Department of Water Resources or other water users may petition for forfeiture. Groundwater grandfathered rights inside AMAs have separate non-use rules under ARS § 45-465.
Q&As answered by J Brown
Practice Areas
Notable Case Results
Office Location
Brown & Brown Law Offices PC
PO Box 1890
Saint Johns, AZ 85936
Looking for a Water Rights Attorney?
Browse more Water Rights attorneys in Saint Johns and .