Updated October 2024
CalWEP, in coordination with DWR and the State Water Board, has prepared a detailed guide on the UWUO Alternative Data Process. This guidance document helps water suppliers request approval for various alternative data sources under the Making Conservation a California Way of Life regulatory framework and Urban Water Use Reporting. It provides a detailed explanation of the minimum requirements, the process for approval, and considerations for supplier staff resources.
A supplier may, for each reporting year, use an alternative data source for reference if it demonstrates to the Department of Water Resources (DWR), in coordination with the State Water Board, that the data are equivalent, or superior, in quality and accuracy to the data provided by the DWR.
Before requesting approval for alternative data sources, it is recommended to first determine if the supplier can meet its Urban Water Use Objective using the standard data. Exploring all possibilities with the available standard data can help streamline compliance efforts, save money, and ensure that the alternative data request is truly necessary for achieving your objectives.
This document includes the following Sections:
