Depositing Water in the Water Bank
The Association allows water users to deposit eligible water rights into the water bank in exchange for potential financial compensation.
Only water rights (or portions of water rights) that meet the definition of a bankable water right under K.S.A. 82a-764 and Article IV, Section 404 of the Association’s charter may be accepted for deposit.
The depositor sets the price for their deposited water and is paid only when that water is leased through the Association. Once all required deposit fees are paid, the deposit will be posted on the Association’s bulletin board and made available for lease. If a deposit is not leased by the end of the calendar year, it may be carried forward to the next year only if the applicable annual fees are paid in full.
To be accepted, a proposed deposit must:
An application and contract between the Association and the depositor is required and will outline all terms, including any penalties for violation of contract conditions.
Deposits are also subject to the rules and regulations of the Chief Engineer.
The amount of water eligible for deposit in the Association’s Deposit program is based on the average historic water use from 2002 through 2021. This approach helps prevent an increase in net consumptive use from the local aquifer.
Allowing deposits from water that was not historically diverted could lead to increased pumping and greater impacts on the aquifer. Limiting deposits to historic use helps ensure the program supports conservation while still providing flexibility for water users.
Deposit Example:
Certified Water Right = 135 AF
2002-2021 Avg. Water Use = 100 AF
Amount that can be deposited per year= 100 AF
Max 5 year deposit= 500 AF
Water deposited through the Public Deposit program is immediately:
Key Terms:
How Bidding Works:
Notifications and Tie-Breakers:
After the Lease:
Water deposited through the Private Deposit option is held exclusively by an individual(s) designated by the depositor.
In 2016, the Association board identified a participation roadblock in the Deposit program. At that time, water for sale or lease was advertised on a public bulletin board on the website using a first-come, first-served system. This approach created two challenges:
To address these issues, the Association made two key improvements:
These improvements make the Deposit program more accessible, equitable, and user-friendly for all water users.
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