Water Measurement and Monitoring Device Vendors by California State Water Resources Control Board 

The California Water Control Board now requires that some agricultural operations monitor their water usage and they’ve created a list of vendors of  water measurement and monitoring equipment and systems.

Verdi is grateful to be included on this list.

The list of approved vendors is organized alphabetically. Instead of visiting all 45 websites, we’ve made sense of it for you. In this article we tell you:

• Why there’s a list
  
  
• How to figure out what you need
  
  
• Which vendors you should be looking at
  
  

Why Does California State Have a Vendor List for Water Measurement and Monitoring?

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The SWRCB provides their list as a resource but that the websites do not reflect the views and policies of the State Water Resources Control Board, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute any endorsement or recommendation for use. The State Water Resources Control Board is not responsible for the updating or maintenance of any listed external Websites. 

Why is California Monitoring Water Usage?

California’s monitoring of water usage is essential for managing its water resources in a state frequently affected by droughts and changing environmental conditions. Key reasons include:

1. Drought Management: California has experienced multiple extended droughts, with notable ones from 2012-2016 and 2020-2022. Monitoring usage helps manage drought conditions by identifying areas where water can be saved and implementing measures to reduce consumption.
   
   
2. Climate Change: Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of droughts in California. Continuous monitoring allows the state to adjust its water management strategies and ensure resources are used sustainably as environmental conditions evolve.
   
   
3. Water Efficiency Programs: The California Department of Water Resources administers statewide programs aimed at increasing water efficiency in urban and agricultural areas. Monitoring water usage is crucial for evaluating these programs' effectiveness and adjusting strategies to achieve water savings.
   
   
4. Conservation and Legislation Compliance: California has set water conservation goals that include reducing per-capita usage. Monitoring ensures that conservation measures, such as restrictions and incentives, are enforced effectively. Additionally, state legislation like the 2018 Water Conservation Legislation (AB 1668 and SB 606) mandates water-use monitoring to track compliance with efficiency targets.
   
   
5. Environmental and Ecosystem Protection: Monitoring helps ensure that environmental water allocations are managed properly, supporting natural habitats and biodiversity.
   
   

Who Needs to Monitor Water Usage?

Monitoring water usage is important for various sectors. With approximately 40% of California's total water use is for agriculture, 10% for communities and 50% for environmental use, agriculture water monitoring is extremely important. 

In recent years, community water use has plateaued and the water usage requirements will remain stable. 

Because agricultural water supply has increased demands, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) believes water usage monitoring will cause farm water use to fall, especially in critically overdrafted basins. 

Farmers, especially in water-intensive regions, are required to monitor usage to comply with water board regulations and optimize their irrigation practices.

What are the Specifications or Requirements for Water Measurement and Monitoring Equipment?

The California State Water Resources Control Board requires that water measurement and monitoring equipment meet specific technical standards:

1. Metrological and Technical Standards: Water meters must comply with recognized international standards, such as those outlined in OIML R49, ensuring that equipment is accurate and reliable under the conditions commonly found in California.
   
   
2. Verification and Inspection Protocols: The equipment must undergo testing to verify its accuracy over time. This includes environmental tests for durability in extreme temperatures and variable climatic conditions, as well as dynamic performance tests to ensure consistent measurement under different flow rates.
   
   
3. Equipment Longevity and Maintenance: Approved equipment must be designed for long-term use, with specific guidelines for how often devices need re-calibration or replacement. Water meters, for instance, might have a maximum usable span of 8 years before requiring re-verification.
   
   
4. Data Accuracy and Reporting: Devices must provide reliable data that can be integrated into state-level reporting systems, essential for compliance with conservation targets and tracking distribution losses.
   
   
5. Adaptability to Varying Conditions: Given California’s diverse topography and climate zones, the approved equipment must function effectively across different soil types, elevations, and water qualities. This ensures consistent measurements in both urban and remote agricultural areas.
   
   

How to Choose an Vendor for Your Agriculture Water Measurement System: Water Monitoring Vendors by Type

If your farm needs to measure water usage, you’ll need an irrigation system, sensors, and some way to log data from those sensors. As such, we’ve organized our list with the following categories:

• Irrigation Systems
• Water Flow Sensors
• Data Management and Reporting Software
• Service Providers
• Parts Distributors

1. Irrigation System Vendors

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2. Water Flow Sensor Vendors

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3. Water Usage Data Management and Reporting Software

4. Water Use Monitoring Service Providers

5. Parts Distributors For Irrigation & Water Monitoring in California