Voluntary Flow-Metering Program
- Do you rely on groundwater for drinking, irrigation, industry, and livestock?
- Do you know how much water you pump from your well?
- Are you worried you are losing water?
- Do you want to extend the life of your well, pumps and water filters?
The Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) in Sonoma County are here to help. Funded by a grant from the California Department of Water Resources, the GSAs have created the Flow Smart Program to help us learn more about our wide variety of groundwater use. The Flow Smart Program will partner with well owners to gather data on water use using well flow metering devices. Over time, the groundwater use data gathered from wells throughout our groundwater basins will improve the GSA’s understanding of groundwater extraction trends and refine our understanding of groundwater use by the people that live and work in the region. In addition, this program provides grant-funded professional installation of a well flow-metering device that allows well owners to track the amount of groundwater they are pumping – at no cost to the well owner.
Why should I participate?
- FREE equipment and installation! Receive a professionally installed flow-meter at no cost. (a $4,500 – $6,000 value).
- Better monitor and understand your groundwater use.
- Gain technology that identifies leaks, tracks pump and well performance, and promotes water conservation.
- Reduce economic losses associated with loss of water availability (dry wells), water shortages, energy costs and equipment performance.
- Contribute to the sustainable management of a valuable shared resource.
How does the Flow Smart Program benefit groundwater sustainability?
An accurate understanding of local groundwater use is needed to manage groundwater resources effectively for the individual, the community, the local economy, and the environment. This program will allow GSA staff to refine our understanding of total groundwater use by user type and also incentivize groundwater conservation by providing both water managers and landowners with a better understanding of their individual water use.
Curious about communities that already monitor their groundwater use? Check out this interview with David Noren.
Who will see my water use data?
The GSAs understand that many landowners have concerns about data confidentiality with regards to their individual water use. The GSA will not share individual well use information with any external party, unless required by law. Even through Public Records Act Requests, a well owner or managers name, contact information, location, and individual water use metrics will be kept confidential.
The local GSAs will be able to track data from the Flow Smart Program to understand the true groundwater use across the region, thereby helping to protect local aquifers from overdraft. The data collected will be combined with other local well data to help develop future programs and initiatives for advancing groundwater sustainability.
Each individual landowner will have access to their water use information to help inform their water management strategies. Existing voluntary flow-metering programs have benefitted individual well owners by helping them identify leaks or inefficiencies in the well pump, which can save money, time and water.
How can I join and what happens after?
- Fill out this Interest Form
- GSA Staff will then reach out to ask a few questions about your well, and answer any questions you may have about the program.
- GSA Staff will schedule a contractor to conduct an initial well inspection to verify that the well is eligible for Flow Smart.
- The contractor will install the flow-meter.
- Once the flow-meter is installed it is ready to collect data! It can either automatically collect and report data, or you can manually report meter data to GSA on an online portal every year.
Groundwater basins are a shared resource and groundwater sustainability is a shared responsibility. The Flow Smart Program provides an opportunity to be part of the sustainable groundwater management solution in Sonoma County. By helping manage groundwater sustainably, you are helping yourself and others to have groundwater resources in the future!
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs: Flow Smart Program Overview and Enrollment
Can I still sign up for this program?
This program is no longer accepting participants, but by filling out the sign up form, we will note your interest in future programs.
Are domestic wells eligible for the program?
Yes! The Flow Smart Program will prioritize wells designated for agricultural, commercial, or industrial use where groundwater use exceeds 2 acre-feet per year. However, domestic wells can still be included in the program.
I am very busy and don't have much time to spare. Will this program require a lot of work from me?
No. The GSAs request that the well user be available during the initial site evaluation and flow meter installation. Once the flow meter is installed, program participants’ time commitment would be minimal. The GSAs preference is to install flow meters equipped with automated data tracking and transmittal that would allow the GSA and the well user to access the flow meter data remotely.
I’ve already signed up for the Level Up! Voluntary Well Monitoring Program. Can I also be part of this program?
Yes! Participation in both programs is encouraged. We are excited to work with involved well users who want to take advantage of the beneficial programs being offered.
I already have a flow meter on my well. Is there a way I can participate?
Yes! Well owners with previously installed flow meters may also participate in the program. The GSA will provide a flow meter evaluation at no cost to the well owner to ensure proper function and calibration. After that, the well owner will be enrolled in the program for reporting of their use data along with the other new metered wells.
Are the GSAs going to make well metering mandatory?
The GSAs do not have any current plans to make well metering mandatory. The GSAs aim to achieve greater engagement and understanding through voluntary participation programs, which will help make mandatory metering of existing wells unnecessary. In addition, the GSAs do not have the authority to mandate metering for wells that use less than 2 acre-feet a year.
FAQs: Flow Meter Installation
What type of flow meter will be installed?
The flow meters will be totalizing flow meters, equipped with a direct reading rate-of-flow indicator and visual, volume-recording totalizer recorded in gallons, cubic feet, acre-inches, or acre-feet. The GSAs prefer to utilize flow meters equipped with cellular-based advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) technology to allow flow meter data to be accessed remotely by the GSAs and well users.
Who pays for the flow meter and installation?
The Flow Smart Program is funded by a SGMA Round 2 grant from DWR. In accordance with grant stipulations, the GSAs are responsible for costs to purchase and install the flow meters. The flow meters will be made available at no cost to well owners.
How will the GSA access my property?
Any visits to your property will be coordinated with the landowner or manager.
Who owns the flow meter device?
The GSAs will own the flow meter device for the first fifteen years. After that point, ownership of the device will transfer to the landowner. Prior to installation, the GSA will ask that a formal agreement be signed documenting the responsibilities of the well owner and the GSA over this time period.
What are the ongoing maintenance needs for a meter?
Most meters, if functioning correctly, don’t need regular calibration maintenance. Meters typically do not need to be calibrated more often than approximately every 5+ years. Property owners can occasionally conduct a quick bucket test to see if their meters are functioning properly. After the first year, maintenance and calibration costs if necessary will be the responsibility of the landowner under the Flow Smart Program.
FAQs: Flow Meter Reporting
How often will I need to check my flow meter?
If the Flow Smart Program employs automatic data collection methods, flow meter data will be collected by the GSAs automatically through a web-database system. If flow meters are read manually, the GSAs request that readings be submitted to the GSAs on an annual basis, at a minimum, with quarterly reporting strongly encouraged.
How will the data be reported to the GSA?
The GSAs are developing an online portal to receive and manage data. Depending on the flow meter type, measurements may be read and submitted either manually or electronically by well users OR transmitted electronically to the GSAs via telemetry.
Will my water data use be confidential?
The GSAs understand that many landowners have concerns about data confidentiality with regards to their individual water use. The GSAs will not share individual well use information with any external party, unless required by law. Even through Public Records Act Requests, your name, contact information, location, and individual water use metrics will be kept confidential.
Will I have access to my well water use data?
The online portal will allow program participants to view data associated with their own well(s).
How long will the program last?
The grant funded program will be complete at the end of 2025, but data collection will continue beyond that point. By signing up for the program, the GSAs expect you to share data for up to five years. After five years, reporting will continue to be encouraged.
FAQs: What’s Next?
Who can I contact for more information?
Interested in learning more or talking directly with one of our staff? Reach out to Chad Singleton, Flow Smart Coordinator, at Chad.Singleton@scwa.ca.gov and include “Flow Smart Program” in the email subject line.
Will my groundwater sustainability fee change by participating in the Flow Smart Program?
Once data begins to be collected, a well owner can request that their groundwater sustainability fee be adjusted to rely on reported metered data by filling out a GUIDE survey. Under the additional comments section, please note that you are a participant of the Flow Smart Program and GSA Staff will update your fee calculation. Over time, as metered data is reported the GSA will utilize five-year averages for fee calculations.
If you would prefer to not have your groundwater sustainability fee calculated on your metered data, no action is necessary.
Funding for this project has been provided in full or in part from The Budget Acts of 2021 and 2022 and through an agreement with the State Department of Water Resources.
