The use of groundwater for personal needs or for essential household purposes such as drinking, bathing, heating, cooking, sanitation or cleaning; swimming pools, irrigation of lawns, shade trees, non-commercial family gardens and orchards; watering of domestic animals; and maintaining up to 50,000 gallons of groundwater storage in ponds, lakes, tanks, reservoirs, or other surface impoundments for holding water located on the person’s property.

The use of groundwater to provide water for domesticated horses, cattle, goats, sheep, swine, poultry, ostriches, emus, rheas, fish, exotic deer and antelope, and other similar animals involved in farming or ranching operations, including maintaining up to 50,000 gallons of groundwater storage in ponds, lakes, tanks, reservoirs, or other surface impoundments for holding water located on the person’s property. Dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, small mammals, potbellied pigs, and other animals typically kept as domestic pets are not considered livestock. Livestock-type animals kept as pets or in a pet-like environment are not considered livestock.

Use of water to support native wildlife and wildlife habitat, including activities intended to sustain breeding, migrating, or wintering populations of indigenous wild animals. Examples may include wildlife watering stations, ponds managed for wildlife, and habitat improvement projects.