Half an acre of land for your next home! Build away! How to Get Water Rights in Nevada 1. Understand Water Rights – Water is publicly owned, and you must apply to use it legally. 2. Claim a Vested Right – File a Proof of Appropriation with a surveyed map if you’ve used water before state laws. 3. Apply for a New Water Right – Submit an Application to Appropriate Water with a surveyed map and wait for approval. 4. Request a Change or Temporary Use – File an application to modify an existing right or get a temporary permit for short-term use. 5. Prove & Finalize Your Water Right – Complete your water system, file Proof of Beneficial Use, and receive a Certificate of Appropriation. For details, visit water.nv.gov.