Frequently Asked Questions: Well Registration & Metering Policy
What does the Carpinteria Groundwater Sustainability Agency (CGSA) Well Registration and Metering Policy Require?
Water well owners must register all wells, install an approved flowmeter on active wells, and keep accurate records of groundwater extraction. Certain wells may be exempt, such as inactive, abandoned or domestic wells. All wells are subject to inspection by CGSA staff, and exemptions for inactive, abandoned or domestic wells must be documented and approved. (SEE PRIVATE WELL REGISTRATION FORM)
Why is the CGSA requiring flowmeters?
The CGSA is tasked with maintaining adequate water levels in the Carpinteria Groundwater Basin (CGB), which was found to be at-risk by state regulators. To better assess water levels and usage, approved flowmeters will accurately measure private well water usage and fairly apply fees to cover the costs of the CGSA’s work. Currently, agricultural well water users of the CGB are assessed estimated fees for usage based on their crops and acreage. Flowmeters will take the guesswork out of usage fees and apply costs to actual metered usage.
What do well water users of the Carpinteria Groundwater Basin need to do before March 31, 2026?
All property owners with wells within the Carpinteria Groundwater Basin must register their private wells and active wells must have approved flowmeters installed and registered with the CGSA before the March 31, 2026, deadline. Users who already have flowmeters must verify that their meters are accurate and compatible with CGSA data transmitters. (SEE PRIVATE WELL REGISTRATION FORM)
Who needs a well flowmeter?
All non-exempt property owners with wells within the Carpinteria Groundwater Basin need to register their approved flowmeters with the Carpinteria Groundwater Sustainability Agency by March 31, 2026. For properties with existing flowmeters, property owners must enlist a flowmeter accuracy testing contractor to verify that the meter meets requirements. Property owners with inactive or domestic-use wells may apply for exemption (SEE FLOWMETER EXEMPTION FORM)
Who needs to register their water wells?
All water well owners within the Carpinteria Groundwater Basin must register their wells. Wells used for domestic use only typically have very low usage and will likely not be required to install flowmeters for metered water usage rates. Owners of private wells may apply for a flowmeter exemption if their wells are inactive, abandoned, or domestic here.
How do I apply for exemption from the flowmeter requirement?
Upon registering water wells, well owners may apply for a flowmeter exemption. (SEE FLOWMETER EXEMPTION FORM)
What happens if wells and flowmeters are not registered?
Well owners who fail to comply will be assessed fees, and those who do not have flowmeters in place will have their water usage rates increase to the estimated rates of water users with the highest crop factor (most intensive use). Residential well water users must register their wells, and if qualified, may be exempt from installing flowmeters. (SEE ALL FEES AND PENALTIES)
How do well owners register their wells?
All forms and information for registering wells before the March 31, 2026, deadline are available online at https://carpgsa.org/public-info/wellregistrationandmeterprogram/. This includes helpful information on products and vendors along with complete well registration and metering program information. Forms can be mailed to CGSA PO Box 225, Carpinteria, CA, 93014. (SEE PRIVATE WELL REGISTRATION FORM)
How much will be charged for water usage?
Flowmeters will ensure fair and accurate water usage rates for well water users within the Carpinteria Groundwater Basin. Rates will be calculated based on the annual budget of the CGSA and be assessed to well water users based on the amount of water they draw. The Carpinteria Valley Water District also pays into the CGSA for its groundwater wells providing public water supply. The annual budget for the CGSA includes administrative and operations costs for the agency.
What is the cost of approved flowmeters?
Flowmeters vary in pricing, in part depending on the well, its size, and level of water usage. Cost estimates can be found on the approved flowmeter page, here.
What penalties will apply for not complying with the well flowmeter requirement?
For well owners who do not comply with the registration deadline of March 31, 2026, fees will be assessed and water usage rates will be calculated at the highest crop factor (most intensive usage).Other fees apply for intentional violation of well flowmeter policies, failure to file exemption forms, or being out of compliance with accuracy testing of flowmeters, among other penalties. (SEE ALL FEES AND PENALTIES)
Who owns the well flowmeters?
Well owners will own their own wells and flowmeters. Flowmeters must be compatible with CGSA data transmitters. Flowmeters must be tested for accuracy and tampering with flowmeters may result in fines.
Who owns flowmeter data transmitters?
The CGSA owns the data transmitters. All flowmeters must be compatible with CGSA data transmitters, which will relay usage information to the CGSA. Tampering with CGSA equipment may result in fines.
Who can access transmitted water usage data?
By law, only the well owner and CGSA can access the private water usage data.
How will I be billed for metered well water?
Charges will be shared with the county tax collector and will appear on property tax bills.
The cost per acre-foot of groundwater will be calculated based on total usage in the CGB and the adopted fiscal year budget of the Carpinteria Groundwater Sustainability Agency. Per acre-foot rates will be determined by dividing the budget by the volume of water drawn from the basin.
