The law which allows landowners to pump groundwater without limitation is known as what?

The concept that allows landowners to pump groundwater without limitation is known as the Rule of Capture. This legal principle permits landowners to extract water from beneath their land regardless of the effects this may have on adjacent landowners, as long as the water is obtained in a lawful manner. The Rule of Capture is grounded in property rights, asserting that the landowner has the right to the groundwater beneath their property.

This principle can potentially lead to challenges, particularly when over-extraction occurs and can affect the availability of groundwater for neighboring users. However, this rule has been fundamental in shaping groundwater policies before the increased awareness of groundwater management and sustainability.

While other options relate to water rights and management, they do not specifically encapsulate the unrestricted nature of groundwater pumping associated with individual landownership, which is characteristic of the Rule of Capture. The Water Affirmation Act and the Public Water Act address broader legislative frameworks surrounding water use, while the Groundwater Management Act focuses on the management and regulation of groundwater resources rather than the right to pump without limitation.