Who needs a water right?  In short, everyone!  But generally, what people are really asking is who is required by law to have a water right?  KSA 82a-728 states in pertinent part…Except for the appropriation of water for the purpose of domestic use (and a couple other minor exemptions)… and the annual diversion and beneficial use of not more than 15 acre feet of surface water impounded in any reservoir having a total water volume of less than 15 acre feet, it shall be unlawful for any person to appropriate water or threaten to appropriate water from any source without first applying for and obtaining a permit to appropriate water….