2015 Oklahoma Statutes
Title 82. Waters and Water Rights
§82-1020.1. Definitions.

As used in this act:

1. "Groundwater" means fresh water under the surface of the earth regardless of the geologic structure in which it is standing or moving outside the cut bank of any definite stream;

2. "Domestic use" means the use of water by a natural individual or by a family or household for household purposes, for farm and domestic animals up to the normal grazing capacity of the land and for the irrigation of land not exceeding a total of three (3) acres in area for the growing of gardens, orchards and lawns, and for such other purposes, specified by Board rules, for which de minimis amounts are used;

3. "Major groundwater basin" shall mean a distinct underground body of water overlain by contiguous land and having substantially the same geological and hydrological characteristics and from which groundwater wells yield at least fifty (50) gallons per minute on the average basinwide if from a bedrock aquifer and at least one hundred fifty (150) gallons per minute on the average basinwide if from an alluvium or alluvium and terrace aquifer, or as otherwise designated by the Board;

4. "Subbasin" means a subdivision of a major or minor groundwater basin overlain by contiguous land and having substantially the same geological and hydrological characteristics and yield capabilities;

5. "Board" means the Oklahoma Water Resources Board;

6. "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, business trust, federal agency, state agency, the state or any political subdivision thereof, municipalities, and any other legal entities;

7. "Fresh water" means water which has less than five thousand (5,000) parts per million total dissolved solids. For the purpose of this act all other water is salt water;

8. "Commercial drilling", "commercial plugging" and "commercial installation" mean drilling or plugging and installation as a business, trade or occupation for compensation; and

9. "Minor groundwater basin" means a distinct underground body of water overlain by contiguous land and having substantially the same geological and hydrological characteristics and which is not a major groundwater basin.

Added by Laws 1972, c. 248, § 1, eff. July 1, 1973. Amended by Laws 1990, c. 325, § 1, emerg. eff. May 30, 1990; Laws 1993, c. 164, § 8, emerg. eff. May 10, 1993; Laws 1995, c. 112, § 5, eff. Nov. 1, 1995.