Water Measurement and Reporting Regulation Revisions

The State Water Resources Control Board is revising water rights measurement and reporting regulations to enhance data accuracy, streamline compliance, and align with the newly modernized California Water Accounting, Tracking, and Reporting System, or CalWATRS. These regulatory updates, adopted on August 5, 2025, and set to take effect on October 1, 2025, revise multiple sections of Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations, including provisions related to measurement thresholds, reporting cycles, and data formatting. Key changes include eliminating mandatory measurement requirements for small diverters such as those using water for domestic, livestock, or cannabis irrigation purposes, and introducing flexibility for alternative compliance under Water Code Section 1840(b)(1). Reporting periods are now standardized to the water year, from October 1 through September 30, consistent with California Water Code Section 5001, and all submissions must be made electronically through CalWATRS with machine-readable formats and verified metadata to ensure data integrity and usability for water management decisions. The implementation timeline requires full integration with CalWATRS by January 2026, with the first reporting cycle due under the new system following that date. The revisions aim to improve submission rates and reduce inconsistencies caused by outdated or unclear requirements, while maintaining CEQA-exempt status due to minimal environmental impact. There is no procurement process involved; the action is purely regulatory, with no contract value, pricing, solicitation number, or contractor obligations identified. Compliance is the responsibility of water right holders under the Board’s oversight, with no formal contracting officers, COR/COTR roles, invoicing mechanisms, or financial clauses applicable. All reporting must occur through CalWATRS, and while no specific submission deadlines for proposals exist, annual water diversion data must be submitted by February 1 of each year as part of the reporting cycle. The State Water Resources Control Board retains full authority for enforcement, data validation, and regulatory interpretation, with no role for external vendors or service providers in the compliance framework.