The GSA is evaluating whether to shift from its current method of estimating groundwater pumping (using LandIQ satellite evapotranspiration data at ~$50,000/year, previously grant-funded) to requiring physical well meters. Most active wells in the basin already have meters, but a formal metering program would require new rules and regulations, approved meter types, calibration standards, and annual reporting by landowners. The board discussed that staff/technical committee could bring back an assessment of pros, cons, costs to landowners, and the accuracy gap between current methods and metered data. If pursued, the transition could take 2–3 years; staff noted it would likely be a multi-year process and might not start until 2027 or later.
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