California Water News Daily Your Source For Water News in California
Water right holders in California are being reminded to file their annual water use report for 2016 by April 1. Information regarding the new reporting and measuring regulations adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is available at the SWRCB Measurement Regulation website which explains the key provisions of the new regulation and the deadlines for compliance.
The April 1 deadline includes holders of water right permits, licenses, stockpond certificates and registrations for small domestic, livestock stockpond and small irrigation uses. Additionally, water right holders who file statements of water diversion and use, including those with pre-1914 water and riparian rights, are required to report their use by July 1.
Adopted by the State Water Board in Jan. 2016, the reporting requirement affects nearly 19,000 surface water rights. Because some entities own more than one water right, the actual number of surface water right holders is less.
The regulations provide for phasing in requirements for installing measurement devices. A tiered approach to accuracy and recording frequency standards is based on the size of the diversion. Large diverters with a claimed right to take 1,000 acre feet of water or more annually were required to have a measuring device or method capable of recording at least hourly data in place by Jan. 1. Those with claimed rights to divert 100 acre feet or more must comply by July 1, 2017 and note the data at least daily; and, those with claimed rights to divert more than 10 acre feet must record the information at least weekly and comply by Jan. 1, 2018.
In light of the increased use of state waters the need for more accurate, timely information has become evident. The collection of water use and diversion is necessary to ensure that priority water needs are met, that water right holders are informed of water availability and that adequate flows remain instream for more senior downstream critical and beneficial uses. The goal of the regulation is to provide more accurate and timely information on water use in California and to enable better management of the state’s water resources.
Regardless of size, all diverters are required to report their monthly diversions on an annual basis. The regulations also allow the State Water Board to require more frequent reporting of measurement data when available water supplies are determined insufficient in order to serve all water right holders in a watershed or are necessary to protect the environment.
The reports must be filed online using the Report Management System located at https://rms.waterboards.ca.gov/. Frequently asked questions pertaining to filling out online reports are posted on the RMS website.
Water users should have received previous correspondence containing a user ID and password, which is required for logging into RMS. If a password needs to be reset, or if a water right changes ownership, water users are responsible for contacting the Division of Water Rights to get ownership records updated to obtain a new user ID and/or password or to reset an existing password. Water users can contact the Division by email at [email protected] or by phone at 916-323-9393 or 916-445-2812 if they need assistance with logging in to RMS.
For all other matters pertaining to the state’s measurement regulations and for water users needing assistance in completing the report, contact:
- (written inquiries) – Division of Water Rights, Attn: Reporting and Data Management Unit, P.O. Box 2000, Sacramento, CA 95812-2000
- (phone inquiries) – 916-323-9393 or 916-445-2812
