Recording and reporting water use

Find information below about reporting a new measuring device, and collecting and submitting water use data.

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Report the installation of a measuring device

Submit a Measuring Device Information form to report any new or replaced water meter.

Collect water use data

Use these guides to understand how to collect data from your measuring device:

Record water use

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, we require use of our forms to document water use data. These new forms standardize water use data recordings and prepare users for reporting data through an improved online submittal process we’ll launch in fall 2026.

Find forms and instructions below. Submit forms at the end of each reporting period.

Electronic Water Use Recordings form: download for submitting data online (preferred) or by email.
- Save a copy to your personal device using a name that includes the Meter ID number.
- Open the file in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or another program that reads .xlsx or .csv files.
- Use the worksheet that best describes how you record water quantity (see Qa descriptions below).
- To enter units: Click on a cell, then the arrow that appears to the right of the selected cell, to select from a list of units.
- Use dropdown options for unit fields.
Paper Water Use Recordings form: print for submitting data by mail.

Review your water right or metering order to learn how often to record water use data and report it to Ecology. If you record water use annually, you do not need to use this form.
Complete one Water Use Recordings form for each device.
Include photos on the last day water use is recorded for the reporting period:
- Meter: close up of the meter face.
- Open channel: showing how water passes through or by the measuring device.
By your reporting deadline, submit the form and photos online (preferred), or by email or mail.

For each date you record data, complete all fields in the row.
Reporting contact: person reporting data.
Qa (volume or annual quantity):
- Meter readings - totalizer readings collected from the meter, including any permanent zeros used as multipliers (for help reading a meter, review our Reading Your Water Meter guide).
- Total flow - quantity of water.
Qi (instantaneous peak flow) - make a reasonable effort during the recording period to collect the peak flow rate measurement when demand is close to maximum.
- Meter with flow indicator - read manually.
- Meter with no flow indicator - measure over a period of several minutes to estimate flow. Example: if 700 gallons used over 5 minutes, report 140 gpm (or 700/5 = 140).
- Meters with electronic data collection - scan the smallest time intervals (e.g. 1 second, 1 minute, 15 minutes) to identify the recording period's maximum calculated flow rate.
- Open channel systems - use the staff gauge reading and rating table to determine flow rate.

We understand our forms may not work well for all users. If you cannot use a form to document your water use, contact you Metering Coordinator to request approval for using another method.

Report water use to Ecology

Most water users must submit reports every year by January 31. Below, we provide instructions for reporting water use data through Secure Access Washington (SAW) and metering accounts. For additional guidance, review this detailed reference guide. Contact your Metering Coordinator to learn about alternative reporting methods.

From the SAW login page, click "Sign up" to create a SAW account: https://secureaccess.wa.gov/myAccess/saw/select.do.
When approved, from your SAW account, link to Ecology's Metering Data Submittal Service
- Click “Add Service.”
- Click "A-Z Add Service By Name".
- Filter results by typing "Metering"
- Click “Add” next to Metering Data Submittal Service.
- Set up your account profile by entering all required fields, including associated water rights.
- Click “Submit Request.”

Contact information

Contact the Ecology office serving the area where a water source is located.

Office of Columbia River: 509-575-2597 or wrocrprojects@ecy.wa.gov

All water sources within two miles of the Columbia River.

Region offices

Central Region: 509-575-2597 or wrcro@ecy.wa.gov
Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, and Yakima counties.

Eastern Region: 509-329-3400 or wrero@ecy.wa.gov
Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman counties.

Northwest Region: 206-594-0193 or wrnwro@ecy.wa.gov
Island, King, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties.

Southwest Region: 360-407-6300 or wrswro@ecy.wa.gov
Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, and Wahkiakum counties.