An application relating to the appropriation or use of state water must include water conservation and drought contingency plans meeting applicable requirements contained in this section. An application not accompanied by such plans is not administratively complete and shall not be considered by the commission, unless expressly exempted by this section. The water conservation plan must demonstrate that reasonable diligence will be used to avoid waste and achieve water conservation in order that appropriated waters will be beneficially used for the authorized purposes. Conservation means those practices, techniques, and technologies that will reduce the consumption of water, prevent or reduce the loss or waste of water, maintain or improve the efficiency in the use of water, increase the recycling and reuse of water, or prevent the pollution of water so that a water supply is made available for future or alternative uses for the benefit of the public health, safety and welfare, and of the environment.
  (1) Applications to appropriate or to use water for municipal use, industrial or mining use, or agricultural use, including irrigation use. The water conservation and drought contingency plans submitted with an application to appropriate or to use state water for municipal use, industrial or mining use, or agricultural use must be submitted in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Chapter 288 of this title (relating to Water Conservation Plans, Drought Contingency Plans, Guidelines and Requirements).
  (2) Applications to appropriate or to use water by wholesale water suppliers. A water conservation plan submitted with an application to appropriate or to use state water by a wholesale water supplier must be submitted in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Chapter 288 of this title.
  (3) Applications to appropriate or to use water for any other purpose or use. A water conservation plan submitted with an application to appropriate or to use state water for any other purpose or use shall include a water conservation plan providing information where applicable about those practices, techniques, and technologies that will be used to reduce the consumption of water, prevent or reduce the loss or waste of water, maintain or improve the efficiency in the use of water, increase the recycling and reuse of water, or prevent the pollution of water.
  (4) Applications to amend existing water rights. An application to amend an existing water right for any of the following reasons must be accompanied by water conservation and drought contingency plans in accordance with the applicable provisions of this section:
    (A) to increase the amount of the appropriation;
    (B) to extend the term of the appropriation;
    (C) to change the place of use, unless the request is to expand the amount of acreage to be irrigated adjacent to the existing, authorized irrigated tract without an increase in the appropriation; or
    (D) to change the purpose or use of the appropriation (a conservation plan to change the purpose or use of an appropriation need only address the proposed change in purpose or use; however, the executive director may require an applicant to submit a water conservation plan which addresses the applicant's entire water uses and/or appropriations).
  (5) Exemptions to the requirement to submit water conservation plans. Applications to impound water for in-place use only, for emergency use in accordance with §295.91 of this title (relating to Requirements for Application for Emergency Water Use Permit) and for temporary use of water in accordance with §295.61 of this title (relating to Additional Requirements for Applications for Temporary Permits) are exempt from having to submit a water conservation plan pursuant to this section. However, all water right holders must exercise reasonable diligence to avoid waste and achieve water conservation so that the right to use state water is limited to the amount which is being or can be beneficially used for the authorized purposes but not to exceed the amount specifically appropriated.

Source Note: The provisions of this §295.9 adopted to be effective May 28, 1986, 11 TexReg 2324; amended to be effective May 3, 1993, 18 TexReg 2558; amended to be effective February 21, 1999, 24 TexReg 969; amended to be effective August 15, 2002, 27 TexReg 7149