§3092. Definitions

            Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings for purposes of this chapter:

            (1) "Beneficial purpose" or "beneficial use" means the use of ground water for domestic, municipal, industrial, agricultural, recreational or therapeutic purposes.

            (2) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of conservation.

            (3) "Ground water" is water suitable for any beneficial purpose percolating below the earth's surface.

            (4) "Office" means the office of conservation, Department of Energy and Natural Resources.

            (5) "Persons" means any natural person, corporation, association, partnership, receiver, tutor, curator, executor, administrator, fiduciary, or representative of any kind.

            (6) "User" means any person making any beneficial use of ground water in excess of fifty thousand gallons for any day during any calendar year from a well or wells owned or operated by such person or from a well or wells owned or operated solely for the production of water used by such person.

            (7) "Well" or "water well" shall mean any well drilled or constructed for the principal purpose of producing ground water.

            Acts 1972, No. 535, §3; Acts 2009, No. 437, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2023, No. 150, §12, eff. Jan. 10, 2024.