Central Basin rolls out data tool to aid retailers with state efficiency compliance

Central Basin rolls out data tool to aid retailers with state efficiency complianceThe wholesale agency will utilize Metropolitan Water District funding to subsidize Eagle Aerial’s Waterview software, helping local utilities calculate water budgets required by AB 1668 and SB 606.

The Board authorized an agreement with Eagle Aerial capped at $219,000 to provide software subscriptions for local retailers.

The initiative is funded via the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) Member Agency Administered Program (MAP).

The software assists agencies in calculating annual water use objectives required by state efficiency legislation.

Five retailers, including the cities of Cerritos and South Gate, have already committed to the program.

The Central Basin Municipal Water District (CBMWD) Board of Directors has authorized staff to finalize an agreement with Eagle Aerial to provide its Waterview software to local water retailers. The initiative, with a budget of up to $219,000, is designed to help agencies comply with California’s strictly regulated water efficiency framework, specifically Assembly Bill 1668 and Senate Bill 606. District staff member Braden Yu explained that the legislation requires suppliers to annually calculate a "water use objective," which aggregates efficiency budgets for residential indoor use, residential outdoor use, water loss, and commercial landscaping with dedicated meters. "That's a lot for an agency to pull together on an annualized basis," Yu told the Board. The Waterview platform, currently utilized by over 50 water agencies statewide, leverages high-resolution aerial imagery and daily evapotranspiration data to analyze allocation at the parcel level. This allows the software to automate the complex data gathering needed to populate efficiency budgets, reducing the need for costly on-site visits. The program will be funded through the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s (MWD) Member Agency Administered Program (MAP). Central Basin plans to pay for the first year of subscription fees for participating agencies using these pass-through funds. The pricing structure includes volume discounts, offering a 10% reduction for one to five agencies, increasing to 30% if ten or more participate. Current commitments have been secured from the cities of Cerritos, Paramount, Santa Fe Springs, and South Gate, as well as the Montebello Land and Water Company. Additional agencies, including Liberty Utilities and the San Gabriel Valley Water Company, have expressed interest but have not yet committed. Director Garza praised the initiative as a "value add" that allows the district to act as a bridge between local retailers and MWD resources. However, the motion passed with a split vote of 5-0-2. Director Vasquez Wilson abstained, noting that while she recognized the staff's effort to secure funding, she believed there were "better ways for us to utilize the MAP funding" given the infrastructure needs of the district. Director Chacon also abstained, citing an ongoing governance dispute regarding board members serving expired terms.