Opinion ID: 2363083
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Issue IIs an easement for a water line across the Lariat property, in favor of the Hansulds' property, necessary and beneficial?

Text: [¶ 11] Of the three elements that must be satisfied in order to find the existence of an implied easement, the first two elements are conceded. Thus, only the third element is at issue in this appeal. An easement for a water line is certainly beneficial to the Hansulds. The question is whether such easement is necessary. The evidence developed for summary judgment was that the Hansulds could lay a direct water line from the water main for approximately $25,000. As a result, the district court determined the Hansulds had a reasonable alternative access directly to the water main and thus the proposed easement for a water line was not necessary. We disagree. [¶ 12] One of the factors we analyze in order to determine the necessity of an easement is whether the expense of pursuing an alternative to the easement is disproportionate to the burden on the servient estate of implying an easement across the property. Shirran, 987 P.2d at 142; Corbett, 603 P.2d at 1293. In the instant case, we are dealing with an underground utility line. This creates only a minimal burden on Lariat's property. On the other hand, although it would not be technically complex, it would cost the Hansulds approximately $25,000 to run their own water line to the water main. Under the circumstances, we do not see why this money should be expended to essentially duplicate a resource already in place. The burden to the Lariat property is simply not great enough. We find that putting the Hansulds to the expense of laying an equivalent water line entails a disproportionate effort and expense to the finding of the existence of an easement for the water line by implication.