Focus

Definition: Source Water Measuring

The measurement of ground water withdrawals or surface water diversions, commonly referred to as source metering, involves the installation of measurement devices where water is withdrawn from the ground or diverted from surface water to determine how much is being used and when it is being used.

Introduction

Requirements for Measuring and Reporting Water Use , Chapter 173-173 WAC, became effective Jan. 21, 2002. The new rule updates an old rule adopted in 1969 (Chapter 508-64 WAC) and includes requirements from the 1993 state water measuring law.

Measuring water at the source of a surface water diversion or ground water withdrawal benefits the public in many ways, such as:

Informing water users how much water they are using which allows them to better manage their water use.

Providing a tool for ensuring compliance with water rights and increasing fairness among users who measure and those who don't.

Supplying information for water resource planning and management.

Why is there a new rule?

In March 1999, American Rivers, the Center for Environmental Law and Policy, Washington Environmental Council, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, and the Institute for Fisheries Resources filed suit against the Department of Ecology (Ecology) for not complying with the 1993 state water measurement law. This law requires the measuring of all surface water diversions.

In December 2000, the Thurston County Superior Court issued a final ruling and ordered Ecology to submit a compliance plan to the court which was done on March 30, 2001. It describes how Ecology will begin to bring its water compliance program into line with the state water measuring law by Dec. 31, 2002. One of the major requirements of the plan is:

"Water measurement by the biggest water users in each of the 16 watersheds, where fish stocks have been classified as critical and depressed because of low stream flows by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife."

The compliance plan - implementing the rule

The compliance plan calls for those water users totaling 80% of water use in each of the 16 "fish critical" watersheds to conform their measuring and reporting practices with the requirements of the revised water measuring rule. This will only affect a small percentage, approximately 1000, of water-right holders statewide. The majority of these water users are already measuring their water, such as public utilities and large agricultural operations. However, identified parties will now need to submit their measuring data to Ecology.

Informal letters will be mailed to all those water-right holders identified as using 80% of the water in the fish critical watersheds to notify them that they will receive an order. The actual regulatory orders will be mailed according to the timetable below.

Additionally, under Chapter 173-173 WAC, Ecology will require water right holders requesting changes or extensions to existing rights to measure and report.

Ecology is preparing forms to assist water right holders in submitting the required data. You will be able to submit data over the Internet at Ecology's website or by hand on Ecology-approved forms, which will be distributed in the coming months.

Grants for measuring devices available soon

The state legislature is providing $3.4 million in grants to assist water users in purchasing water measuring devices. Additional information on eligibility and how you can apply for some of those funds will be available by April 1. Visit the web page or contact regional staff for more information.

Compliance plan timeline

In the 16 "fish critical" watersheds:

March 31, 2002: Issue measurement orders to holders of claims, permits and certificates who are already required to measure so they conform to the revised rule.

June 30, 2002: Issue measurement orders to 25 percent of the holders the largest claims, permits and certificates.

Sept. 30, 2002: Issue measurement orders to an additional 50 percent of the holders of the largest claims, permits and certificates.

Dec. 31, 2002: Issue measurement orders to the remaining holders of the largest claims, permits and certificates.

The state law

Under amendments to the 1993 state water law (RCW 90.03.360), measuring is required for all surface water diversions. Ecology must require measuring as a condition for all new water rights and for existing water rights that meet at least one of the following criteria:

Surface water diversions greater than one cubic foot of water per second, or,

Diversions and withdrawals from surface and ground water sources that support fish stocks classified as critical and depressed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The next stage of implementation

In 2003 Ecology will evaluate the need to require additional users to record and report water use information

The 16 fish-critical watersheds:
West Nooksack Elwha/Dungeness Quilcene/Snow Snohomish Cedar/Sammamish Duwamish/Green Chambers/Clover Puyallup/White	East Methoe Okanogan Wenatchee Upper Yakima Naches Lower Yakima Walla Walla Middle Snake

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