It's important to remember water rights can be bought on market...

It's important to remember water rights can be bought on market without the need to buy the land the water is currently used on. Land and water can be bought separate and water rights are not tied to any particular piece of land. Water trading ensures that water is used for the greatest economic benefit. Lettuce farmer sells his or her water right to the lithium miner down the road. Cattle rancher sells his or her water right to the lithium chemical processing plant next door and each does so at a profit they are happy with. In this way, water moves from low value to high value products. Generally, this is from agriculture to manufacturing.