Savings Account Program

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The Association is authorized to enter into contracts with water users for the establishment of savings accounts. A savings account program allows a water user to place unused water from a water right into an account for use at a later date. A water right must be deemed bankable as per K.S.A. 2001 Supp. 82a-764, as amended before it is considered eligible for a savings account. The operation of savings accounts within the Association shall net increase the amount of net consumptive use of water in any hydrologic unit. The amount of a water right that can be deposited in any savings account shall be calculated using the following formula

(WR - WU) * .25 = Amount of water that can be deposited.

• where WR = certified quantity on water right
• where WU = actual annual water use
• where .25 = percent of quantity between WU and WR

The amount that can be saved in the account is 25% of the difference between annual use and the authorized amount.

Water users who want to participate in the Savings Account program must enter into a contract with the Association by December 1 of the year before they plan to begin depositing water.

Enrollment is quick and simple. To open an account, the Association requires:

• A signed contract from the water right owner, and
   
• A $100 administrative fee submitted by the application deadline
   

Once the account is opened, there are no annual fees. Association staff are happy to help applicants through the process, either in person or by phone.

• Only water that was unused in the immediately preceding year may be deposited.
   
• Deposits must be made no later than March 1 of the year following the unused water year. Just provide a copy of your annual water use report to the Association and we do the rest!
   
• Only one water right may be placed in a savings account.
   
• Linked water rights with common points of diversion or place of use may be combined into a single account.
   

Withdrawing water is just as straightforward as enrolling.

Before a water user exceeds the authorized quantity on their existing water right(s), they must first withdraw water from the corresponding savings account by submitting:

• A withdrawal form to the Association, and
   
• The applicable administrative fee
   

Association staff will also assist with completing the required term permit application for the Kansas Department of Agriculture – Division of Water Resources (KDA-DWR). Once completed, the term permit and a copy of the withdrawal form can be filed with the Stafford KDA-DWR field office to obtain authorization to use the withdrawn water.

This process typically takes 30 minutes to one hour, depending on record completeness and complexity.

At the end of each year, a 10% conservation amount is deducted from the remaining balance in the savings account. The remaining 90% rolls over into the next calendar year.

The total amount of water in a savings account may not exceed:

• The maximum annual quantity authorized under the water right, or
   
• The aggregate maximum quantity authorized under all linked water rights depositing into the account,
  as provided under K.S.A. 82a-763(c)(5).