Florida Statute 373.203 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research

The 2024 Florida Statutes

Title XXVIII
NATURAL RESOURCES; CONSERVATION, RECLAMATION, AND USE

Chapter 373
WATER RESOURCES

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F.S. 373.203

373.203 Definitions.—

(1) “Abandoned artesian well” is defined as an artesian well:

(a) That does not have a properly functioning valve;

(b) The use of which has been permanently discontinued;

(d) That is discharging water containing greater than 500 milligrams per liter of chlorides into a drinking water aquifer;

(e) That is in such a state of disrepair that it cannot be used for its intended purpose without having an adverse impact upon an aquifer which serves as a source of drinking water or which is likely to be such a source in the future; or

(f) That does not have proper flow control on or below the land surface.

(2) An “artesian well” is defined as an artificial hole in the ground from which water supplies may be obtained and which penetrates any water-bearing rock, the water in which is raised to the surface by natural flow, or which rises to an elevation above the top of the water-bearing bed. “Artesian wells” are defined further to include all holes, drilled as a source of water, that penetrate any water-bearing beds that are a part of the artesian water system of Florida, as determined by representatives of the Florida Geological Survey or the Department of Environmental Protection.

(3) “Plugging” is defined as plugging, capping, or otherwise controlling a well as deemed appropriate by the department or by the appropriate water management district.

(4) “Waste” is defined to be the causing, suffering, or permitting any water flowing from, or being pumped from, an artesian well to run into any river, creek, or other natural watercourse or channel, or into any bay or pond (unless used thereafter for the beneficial purposes of irrigation of land, mining, or other industrial purposes of domestic use), or into any street, road or highway, or upon the land of any person, or upon the public lands of the United States or of the state, unless it is used thereon for the beneficial purposes of the irrigation thereof, industrial purposes, domestic use, or the propagation of fish. The use of any water flowing from an artesian well for the irrigation of land shall be restricted to a minimum by the use of proper structural devices in the irrigation system.

History.—ss. 3, 4, ch. 28253, 1953; s. 1, ch. 59-248; ss. 25, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 25, ch. 73-190; s. 44, ch. 79-65; s. 6, ch. 83-310; s. 261, ch. 94-356.

Note.—Former ss. 370.051, 373.021.

F.S. 373.203 on Google Scholar

F.S. 373.203 on Casetext

Amendments to 373.203

Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 373.203

Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

Current data shows no reason an arrest or criminal charge should have occurred directly under Florida Statute 373.203.

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 373.203

Total Results: 6

Seminole Tribe of Florida v. Hendry County

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2013-01-23

Citation: 106 So. 3d 19, 2013 WL 238231, 2013 Fla. App. LEXIS 781

Snippet: Florida Water Resources Act of 1972, sections 373.203-373.249, Florida Statutes (2010), provides the

Northwest Florida Water Management District v. Department of Community Affairs

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2009-03-10

Citation: 7 So. 3d 1129, 2009 Fla. App. LEXIS 2141

Snippet: Resources Act of 1972, as amended, as set forth in ss. 373.203-373.249, shall provide the exclusive authority

Thomas v. SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DIST.

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2003-12-19

Citation: 864 So. 2d 455, 2003 Fla. App. LEXIS 19255, 2003 WL 22970865

Snippet: Resources Act of 1972, as amended, as set forth in ss. 373.203-373.249, shall provide the exclusive authority

Southwest Florida Water Management Dist. v. Charlotte Cty.

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2001-01-05

Citation: 774 So. 2d 903, 2001 WL 10391

Snippet: the Florida Water Act as set forth in sections 373.203-.249 is in conflict with any state law or local

Concerned Citizens v. St. Johns River Water

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 1993-07-23

Citation: 622 So. 2d 520, 1993 WL 274014

Snippet: Resources Act of 1972, as amended, as set forth in ss. 373.203-373.249, shall provide the exclusive authority

City of St. Petersburg v. Southwest Fla. Water Management Dist.

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 1977-10-12

Citation: 355 So. 2d 796

Snippet: Section 373.083(2), Florida Statutes. Sections 373.203-.249, Florida Statutes, authorized implementation