Final answer:
The right to use water adjacent to one's land is known as Riparian rights, which are governed by state governments and are considered in the context of various uses such as drinking water supply and ecological protection. These rights are tied to land ownership and involve complex governance, taking into account both surface water and groundwater sources.
Step-by-step explanation:
The right to use water that is adjacent to the land is referred to as Riparian rights. This concept allows for the use of water for those who own property along its bank. Riparian rights are an essential aspect of water law, especially concerning how it relates to land ownership. The use of water bodies is under the state government's jurisdiction, which designates various uses such as public water supply, recreation, agriculture, industry, navigation, and ecological protection based on a multitude of factors. These factors include the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the water body, its geographical setting, scenic qualities, and economic considerations, ensuring that the water body is suitable for the intended use.
Urban water supplies, for example, often come from surface sources such as lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, which are treated to become drinking water. Both the watershed area feeding these sources and the groundwater contributions are essential for maintaining a reliable urban water supply. Adequate water engineering is crucial for the design and management of the processes in water treatment plants. Notably, water usage rights and ownership can affect various stakeholders within a region, making the governance of these resources complex.