Report on Proposed Revisions to Water Measurement and Reporting Regulation

Introduction and Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is scheduled to consider the adoption of revisions to the Diversion Measurement and Reporting Regulation on August 5, 2025. This initiative is a significant step towards reinforcing California’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning water management, ecosystem protection, and institutional transparency. The proposed revisions aim to enhance the framework established in 2016, which mandates measurement and reporting for water diversions exceeding 10 acre-feet annually. By improving data quality and reporting efficiency, the regulation directly supports the sustainable management of water resources.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

The regulation is fundamental to achieving SDG 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water for all. The proposed revisions contribute directly to the following targets:

• Target 6.4: Water-Use Efficiency and Scarcity. By mandating accurate measurement and standardized reporting, the regulation provides the essential data needed to manage water-use efficiency and ensure sustainable withdrawals, thereby addressing water scarcity.
• Target 6.5: Integrated Water Resources Management. The alignment of reporting periods for surface water and groundwater diversions promotes a more integrated approach to water resources management, a core component of this target.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

This initiative supports SDG 12 by fostering the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

• Target 12.2: Sustainable Management and Efficient Use of Natural Resources. The regulation is a key policy instrument for monitoring the consumption of water, ensuring that its use is both accountable and sustainable.

SDG 15: Life on Land

Effective management of water diversions is critical for protecting biodiversity and freshwater ecosystems, in line with SDG 15.

• Target 15.1: Conservation and Restoration of Freshwater Ecosystems. By providing a clear accounting of water diversions, the regulation enables better decision-making to protect and restore inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The rulemaking process itself embodies the principles of SDG 16 by developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions.

• Target 16.6: Effective, Accountable, and Transparent Institutions. The extensive public consultation process, including multiple comment periods and public hearings, demonstrates a commitment to transparent and participatory governance.
• Target 16.7: Inclusive and Participatory Decision-Making. The provision of language translation services ensures that the process is accessible and inclusive, allowing for broader public engagement.

Summary of Proposed Regulation Revisions

The proposed amendments are designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the existing water measurement and reporting framework. Key revisions include:

1. Clarifying existing requirements for water right holders.
2. Standardizing the format for measurement data reporting to improve data quality and usability.
3. Requiring the provision of email addresses to streamline communication and reporting.
4. Aligning reporting periods with groundwater reporting requirements to enhance policy coherence and integrated management.

Public Consultation and Rulemaking Process

Timeline of Public Engagement

The SWRCB has facilitated a comprehensive and inclusive public consultation process, reflecting a commitment to participatory governance:

1. February 28, 2025: Release of draft proposed revisions for public review.
2. April 16, 2025: Public hearing to receive oral comments.
3. April 23, 2025: Deadline for the first written comment period.
4. May 22 – June 6, 2025: Second written comment period following updates based on initial feedback.
5. June 16 – July 1, 2025: Third written comment period for minor changes to the regulation text.

Information and Resources

Document Availability

All official documents, including the draft regulation text, agenda, and supporting materials, are available on the State Water Board’s website:

• Water Measurement and Reporting Regulation Rulemaking Webpage

Further Information and Engagement

Stakeholders can access additional resources and stay informed through the following channels:

• General Information: General Water Measurement Webpage
• Email Updates: Subscribe via the Email Lists Webpage under the “Water Measurement” list.
• Questions: Contact via email at DWR-Measurement@waterboards.ca.gov or by voicemail at (916) 323-9393.
• Language Services: Translation services can be requested by contacting the Office of Public Engagement, Equity, and Tribal Affairs at (916) 341-5254.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

The article on the State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB) regulation revisions addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to water management, sustainable resource use, and institutional governance.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  This is the most directly relevant SDG. The article focuses on the management and regulation of water resources, specifically the measurement and reporting of water diversions. The SWRCB’s efforts to “measure the rate and volume of their diversions and submit measurement data” are fundamental to ensuring the sustainable management of water, which is the core of SDG 6.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The regulation aims to monitor the use of a critical natural resource—water. By requiring measurement and reporting, the SWRCB is creating a system for the sustainable management and efficient use of water, which aligns with the principles of responsible consumption of natural resources as outlined in SDG 12.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article details the process of a public institution (the SWRCB) developing and revising regulations. It highlights transparency, public participation, and inclusivity. The description of multiple “written comment period[s],” public hearings, the availability of documents online, and the provision of “Language Translation Services” all point to the development of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions, which is a key aspect of SDG 16.

Specific Targets Identified

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.

   The regulation’s requirement to “measure the rate and volume of their diversions” is a foundational step for managing water-use efficiency and ensuring withdrawals are sustainable. Accurate measurement is necessary to understand current usage patterns and identify areas for efficiency improvements.

2. Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels.

   The SWRCB’s regulation is a clear example of implementing integrated water resources management at the state level. The article mentions the goal is to “align reporting periods for groundwater reporting,” indicating an integrated approach that considers different sources of water within a single management framework.

3. Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

   The entire regulation is a mechanism for the sustainable management of water. By mandating that water right holders who “divert over 10 acre-feet annually” measure and report their usage, the state is actively managing this natural resource to ensure its long-term availability and promote efficient use.

4. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

   The article describes a transparent institutional process. The SWRCB makes “draft regulation text, agenda item, draft resolution, and other supporting documents” available on its website, demonstrating accountability and transparency in its rulemaking process.

5. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

   The SWRCB’s process is shown to be participatory and inclusive. The article notes that the Board “solicited public input both orally at a public hearing… and in writing” and held a “third written comment period” based on feedback. Furthermore, the explicit offer of “Language Translation Services” and providing contact information in Spanish (“Para solicitar servicios de traducción…”) demonstrates an effort to ensure inclusive decision-making.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied

The article implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Volume of water diversions measured and reported

  This is a direct indicator for Targets 6.4 and 12.2. The core requirement of the regulation is for water right holders to “measure the rate and volume of their diversions and submit measurement data to the Board.” The total volume of reported water use is a key metric for managing water resources.

• Standardized measurement data reports

  This is an indicator for Target 6.5. The article states that one of the goals of the proposed revisions is to “standardize measurement data reporting.” The implementation and use of these standardized reports would indicate progress in creating an integrated water management system.

• Number of public comment periods and hearings

  This is a quantifiable indicator for Target 16.7. The article explicitly mentions a public hearing on April 16, 2025, and three separate written comment periods. This demonstrates a commitment to participatory decision-making.

• Availability of public documents

  This serves as an indicator for Target 16.6. The article states that all “supporting documents are available on the State Water Board’s website,” indicating institutional transparency.

• Provision of language translation services

  This is a direct indicator for Target 16.7. The inclusion of a section on “Language Translation Services” and providing information in Spanish shows a direct effort to make the process inclusive for non-English speakers.

Summary of Findings

Source: mavensnotebook.com