Topeka — It's called water banking, but don't expect to see bank presidents swimming around in three-piece suits. It's a pilot program the state started to better distribute water and save it for a day when it might be needed more than now.
David Pope, chief engineer for the state Division of Water Resources, announced Tuesday he signed the paperwork creating the state's first water bank charter for groundwater users in south-central Kansas. The Central Kansas Water Bank Assn. will be available in Barton, Edwards, Kiowa, Pawnee, Pratt, Reno, Rice and Stafford counties, and will announce when it's accepting applications.
In Kansas, water use other than for household consumption requires a water right permit, setting out how much water can be used each year at a specific location and its intended use. It can only be used for such things as irrigation, watering crops and livestock, or providing water to residents or industries.
"It will be done on paper. You don't gather up the water and take it down to your local bank and deposit it," said spokeswoman Lisa Taylor.
Through the bank charter, water rights holder can "deposit" water they won't be using in coming years in exchange for payment or other compensation from the person wanting it. Those making the "deposit" continue to hold the water rights, which often remain in families for generations.
Allowing others to use the water will require a minimum of 10 percent of the water to be conserved, Taylor said. That means for 100 acre feet of water on deposit, 90 acre feet will be available. The "deposit" can range from one year to five years and after that, the annual amount of water again is available to the water right holder.
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