The Verde Valley Water Users (VVWU), the only water organization in the Verde Valley dedicated to protecting the water rights in the Verde Valley, has teamed with Southwestern Environmental Consultants (SEC) to research the status of stream and well filings for landowners in the Verde Valley.  SEC brings 30 years of experience with water right and well filings to this project.

 Why is it important that your well and surface water right filings are correct and current?  The Verde River is part of the Gila River System adjudication, which has been in the courts for more than 20 years, and will determine the relative priorities and validity of water claims.  Failure to file a claim could result in the loss of right to use “surface” water, which includes certain wells.  Also, the Court requires that any change in address or claimant name be reported on the appropriate forms within 30 days of the change.  For more information on the adjudication, enclosed is a brief history. 

For the most recent filing with the Court, the VVWU developed a database utilizing ADWR records that identifies the owner of record for every registered well and water claim in the Verde Valley.  This database will be used by SEC to determine whether the appropriate claims have been filed, are they in the name of the current landowner and is the information correct. The fee for this evaluation and report of findings is $100 for VVWU members and $125 for non-members.  The additional $25 for non-members covers the VVWU membership fee for the current year.  Fifteen dollars of the $100 research fee goes to the VVWU to help fund their efforts to protect Verde Valley water rights. 

If the water right claims have been filed, are in the current landowner’s name, and the entries are correct, our report will document that information and no additional action will be necessary on your part at that time.  Should we find discrepancies, which often happens, we will identify the sections in the claim that appear to have errors and provide an estimate of the fee to make the necessary corrections.  Again, 15 percent of this fee will go to the VVWU to support their activities. 

If you would like for us to research the water claims on your property, please complete the enclosed Work Order and return to:  SEC, 825 Cove Parkway, Cottonwood AZ 86326 together with a check made out to SEC, Inc. in the correct amount.  If you have any questions or desire additional information, please call Jamee Reddell at 634-5889, ext. 1025. 

With the Verde River the next watershed to be adjudicated by the Court, it is important that your water records be in order and that you support the Verde Valley Water Users in this ongoing fight for water rights in the Verde Valley.  Without a VVWU, there will not be an organization defending our water rights.