People who use Nebraska’s surface water resources are required in most instances to obtain a surface water permit from the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (NDNR). The permit(s)/water right(s) are approved for a specific location and purpose. Water rights are administered by NDNR, and are NOT recorded with the deed when land is bought, sold, or transferred. NDNR is also responsible for maintaining a database of registered groundwater wells in the State of Nebraska.
Many permits/rights were originally granted to previous landowners one, two or sometimes three generations back. Often subsequent generations of owners are not familiar or aware of the surface water permit(s)/right(s) for their land. This can be especially true if the land is now irrigated using a groundwater well.
State statutes require all landowners to file a written notice with NDNR of any changes in ownership, and/or address for surface water rights and registered groundwater wells. 
The Notice of Change of Ownership / Water Resources Update Notice form
The Department’s web site has a wealth of resources information. Surface water appropriation information can be checked at http://nednr.nebraska.gov/dynamic/waterrights/SelectSearchOptions.aspx.
Required Forms
The Notice of Change of Ownership / Water Resources Update Notice form (ownership form) is the form that is required to notify the NDNR of changes in ownership within 60 days of the property transfer. It requires both the signature of the transferor (seller) and transferee (buyer) so that all parties are aware of the transfer of ownership for all registered wells and surface water permits/rights. The ownership form is the newest and preferred form accepted by NDNR. This same form may be used as a notice of change of ownership to notify NDNR of a new owner and/or change of address when the transfer of ownership or changes have occurred and the 60 day period described above has been exceeded, or the property is within a municipality.
NDNR would like all parties involved with land ownership, whether it be owners, buyers or sellers, to be aware of the procedures necessary to be in compliance with Nebraska’s water laws concerning surface water permits/rights and groundwater well registrations. Questions concerning groundwater well registrations, water permits/rights, required changes in ownership information or questions about Nebraska’s water laws, should be directed to the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources at (402) 471-2363 or fax (402) 471-2900.
