Requirements for metering water use

Metering is required for certain uses

Below are some examples of water uses that requires metering:

• All new surface water uses
• All existing surface water uses greater than one cubic foot of water per second
• All new water right permits issued in the 16 fish-critical watersheds
• Some water uses in water-short areas
• Some mitigated water uses
• Some uses of water from reserves

Special circumstances

Yakima River Basin 

As part of the Yakima River Basin adjudication, Yakima County Superior Court issued a metering order requiring all confirmed surface water right holders to record or report their water use to Ecology as follows:  

• Users diverting one cubic foot per second (cfs) or greater must meter and report their water use. 

• Users diverting less than one cfs must meter and record water use for the most recent five years and make the record available upon request. 

Note: The Yakima adjudication metering order doesn’t change requirements in a 1994 court order issued to mainstem water users who divert one cubic foot per second or more from the Yakima, Tieton, or Naches River. The 1994 order required users to install and maintain measuring devices, to report their use to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), and to notify the BOR in advance of any changes to their diversion rates.  

Office of Columbia River — The Legislature directs us to collect and publish metering data from water users who divert or withdraw water from the Columbia River corridor. The Columbia River corridor consists of the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to the Canadian border, the Snake River up to Lower Monumental Dam, and any use within a mile of each bank of these river reaches.

• More information about Columbia River water use compliance

Reporting your metering data online

Most water metering reports are due every year by January 31.

• Use an online account to report water use
• Contact your Metering Coordinator for alternative ways to submit water use data

Meter forms and information

• Guide to reporting water use online: provides steps for setting up and using an online metering account.
• Measuring device information – Form 1: provides information about your measuring device and water rights. Required for any new or replaced meter.
• Water use data collection reporting form: use if not recording readings in a electronic spreadsheet.
• Metering technical information: describes types of meters and their uses, how to read your meter, and where to find a vendor.
• Guide to recording water levels from a well: defines common terms and provides steps for collecting and documenting well water levels.

Laws & rules

• RCW 90.03.360 — Controlling works and measuring devices 
• RCW 90.44.050 — Permit to withdraw 
• RCW 90.44.250 — Investigations – reports of appropriators 
• RCW 90.44.450 — Metering or measuring groundwater withdrawals 
• Chapter 173-173 WAC — Requirements for measuring and reporting water use