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<br />that the water is flowing in a definite channel (Barclay v.
<br />Abraham, 121 Iowa 619, 96 N, W. 1080). Apparently the only
<br />restriction on the landowners right to divert percolating water
<br />is that he not waste it if such diversion and waste injures
<br />another and prevents the latter from devoting the water to a
<br />beneficial use (De Bok v. Doak, 188 Iowa 597, l76 N. W. 631;
<br />Barclay v. Abraham, 121 Iowa 619, 96 N. W, 1080; Hougan v,
<br />Milwaukee & St. Paul Ry" 35 Iowa 558).
<br />
<br />One may not embank against the natural flow of a stream
<br />when the effect is to east increased water on the lands of others
<br />to their substantial injury (Allely v. Fickel, 243 Iowa 105, 49
<br />N, W. 2d 544; Falcon v, Boyer, 157 Iowa 745, 142 N, W, 427;
<br />Keck v, Venghause, 127 Iowa 529, 103 N, W. 773; Downey v,
<br />Phelps, 201 Iowa 826, 208 N. W, 499),
<br />
<br />As well as being a criminal offense under statute law
<br />(Iowa Code ch, 657), pollution of the water of a stream is also
<br />an interference with private riparian rights actionable in damages
<br />(Vogt. v. City of Grinnell, 133 Iowa 363, 110 N, W. 603;
<br />Ferguson v, Firmenieh Mfg, Co" 77 Iowa 576, 42 N. W. 448)
<br />and sometimes to injunctive relief (Newton v, City of Grundy
<br />Center, 246 Iowa 916, 70 N, W, 2d 162; Spence v, McDonough,
<br />77 Iowa 460, 42 N, W. 37). Pollution of percolating water is an
<br />interference with the private right of the owner of the overlying
<br />land and is actionable in a lawsuit for damages or in equity for
<br />injunctive relief (Iverson v, Vint, 243 Iowa 949, 54 N, W. 2d
<br />494; Payne v, Town of Wayland, 131 Iowa 659, 109 N, W. 203),
<br />
<br />5, Attorney General's Opinions of Special Importance
<br />
<br />In a 1960 letter opinion, the Attorney General of Iowa construed
<br />that portion of the Iowa Water Rights Law defining as nonregulated
<br />", , ,the use of water for ordinary household purposes, use of
<br />water for poultry, livestock and domestic animals. , , " to exempt
<br />from regulation only "ordinary" use of water for such purposes,
<br />Whether a particular use is ordinary or extraordinary is a
<br />matter for determination by the Iowa Natural Resources Council.
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