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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">All surface water uses require a water right under RCW Title 90. There is only a limited exception to use water without a vested or state-issued water right, and that’s for groundwater uses of less than 5,000
gallons per day. RCW 90.44.050. Without a surface water right, there is never a right to pump from the river, regardless of need.<br>
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I’m quite confused by the fact pattern as presented. What is the asset being sold—the Group B water system? Because one does not typically sell wells. When wells are no longer being used, the well is decommissioned—the pump is pulled and the hole is sealed.
However, if other users on the Group B system are still using the well, they have, at a minimum, an equitable interest in the system, and most likely have legal ownership in the system infrastructure, including the well. I’d be surprised if there isn't documentation
of such, either through land title records or county health department records.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">If the client wants to be released from the ongoing obligations of Group B, that’s different than selling. But I would posit that any value in the well was already acquired through the diminution in value
of the property when acquired with a Group B well encumbrance on it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Good luck. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">JMM<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#212121">Jamie Morin
</span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#212121">|
</span><span style="font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#212121">Attorney at Law</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#212121">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:10.8pt"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#212121">Direct: (206)502-4405</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">
<span style="color:#212121">| Cell: (206)498-2381<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:10.8pt"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#212121">(509)295-WLAW</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"> |
<span style="color:#212121"><a href="mailto:morin@confluencelaw.com"><span style="color:#477CCC">morin@confluencelaw.com</span></a></span></span><span style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Would a phone call be better? Use this link to help us find a time to talk: <a href="https://calendly.com/confluencelaw-jamie/30min"><span style="color:blue">https://calendly.com/confluencelaw-jamie/30min</span></a>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"> wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Elizabeth [Lisa] M. Carney<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, January 29, 2026 10:58 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Real Property Listserv (wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com) <wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBARP] Water well/ very close to the Skykomish river, in King County.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Colleagues, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> Seeking expertise related to water wells on the Skykomish river- the portion in King County.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> Client is one of 6 users of a well. The well is situated on its own parcel- with no residence. Well is part of a Group B water system, where 5 months of the year the well is dry.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> Current owner of the well is seeking a buyer as current owner has recently constructed a new well to serve current owner’s property and has no need for the well.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sale price may be ~$50-$70K.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> Current owner is open to selling to client. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> Current well system, as is, does not appear to comply with current rules, but did comply with the rules at the time it was created [in the 60’s]. What is required to grandfather in the well?
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And, is it ever an option to pump from the river when a well is dry? There appears to be many King County departments that have an opinion of water and wells. Client has already spent time in research and still has no definitive answer
regarding options to dig more or take from the river nearby. Client is a new owner.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Also- seeking guidance on how best to acquire and own a water well used by several parties. Have all, one, most, or a few actually own the property?
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Get a Use Agreement for the other users recorded against each property for future user’s responsibilities?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> All referrals appreciated. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lisa<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#0C6596"> Elizabeth (Lisa) M. Carney</span></i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#0C6596"> Attorney at Law<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Nyala;color:#0C6596"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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