Water Availability and Use
The Office of Land and Water Resources (OLWR) is charged with conserving, managing, and protecting the water resources of Mississippi. The agency regulates water quantity issues affecting the beneficial use of these resources in the best interest and welfare of the citizens of the state.
The assigned responsibilities of the Office include:
- Issuing permits for groundwater withdrawal and surface water diversion and impoundment in the state,
- Licensing and regulating water well contractors/drillers,
- Conducting technical investigations of the water resources in the state,
- Monitoring water use,
- Maintaining water-related information in computer databases,
- Publishing various reports and maps,
- Monitoring dam safety in the state,
- Developing regional groundwater-flow models,
- Measuring water-level changes in the state’s major aquifers,
- Monitoring stream flows throughout Mississippi, and
- Providing technical assistance to the public, various stakeholders, and other governmental entities on various water-related issues.
Work Areas
Water Resources Management Division
Conducts investigations and evaluations of the available surface water and groundwater resources throughout the state.
Dam Safety Division
Ensure safety of dams in state.
Source Water Assessment Branch
Identifies public water systems that may be susceptible to contamination and to adopt appropriate management measures that will enhance their protection.
Well Drillers
License and regulate water well drillers
Permitting and Monitoring
Permit withdrawal and diversion of water resources. Collects and disseminate freshwater withdrawals in the state.
Delta Metering Program
Metering program for MRVA agricultural wells
Regulations, Applications, and Forms: State water regulations, permit applications, and various forms in MS Word and Adobe PDF format
Frequently Asked Questions and Guidance
Publications and Current Research
Available OLWR publications and brief descriptions of current water investigations
Staff Directory for Water Availability and Use Branch
