Going with the Flow: The Switch from eWRIMS to CalWATRS

On Oct. 7, the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) launched its new water reporting system, the California Water Accounting, Tracking, and Reporting System (CalWATRS). Earlier this year, SWRCB stopped accepting annual water use reports through the Electronic Water Rights Information Management System (eWRIMS), which has been decommissioned.

The CalWATRS system is a key component of the SWRCB’s project for Updating Water Rights Data for California (UPWARD), helping modernize the way the state collects and manages its water rights data and information.

BACKGROUND

Since 2006, eWRIMS acted as the central repository for water right registrations, certificates, permits and licenses issued by the SWRCB. Under the California Water Code and its implementing regulations (California Water Code, Division 1, Chapter 2.7; California Water Code, Division 2, Parts 2, 5 and 5.1; 23 California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Division 3, Chapter 2.7), appropriative water right holders and some groundwater pumpers must file annual reports of their diversions to the SWRCB. Reports often include the type of beneficial use and crops irrigated as well as the monthly water amounts directly diverted, stored and used. Water users submitted this data to eWRIMS, and the system made the information publicly available. However, eWRIMS provided limited guidance to water right holders throughout the reporting process and millions of water rights records, some dating back to the late 1800s, were stored in paper format and could not be accessed online.

THE NEW SYSTEM

CalWATRS brings notable changes to the water right reporting system by streamlining the reporting process and providing access to digitized records currently stored on paper. It also allows users to upload and edit Geographic Information System (GIS) data, helping water right holders, SWRCB staff and the public access spatial information about water rights. With more sophisticated data collection, SWRCB aims to better manage water rights throughout the state and move closer to collecting real-time water use data.

NEXT STEPS FOR WATER RIGHT HOLDERS

Water right holders will need to create a CalWATRS account to submit their annual water use reports. Old eWRIMS login information will not work for CalWATRS.

After signing up for a CalWATRS account, water right holders will go through a one-time process that links their existing water right records to their new account using a personal identification number (PIN). SWRCB will mail PINs to water right holders beginning in mid-October. Water right holders with multiple water rights may receive a PIN for each water right. While accounts can be made as of Oct. 7, reporting cannot occur until water right records are linked to the new CalWATRS account.

Businesses and government agencies will be able to register as an “organization” in CalWATRS, allowing multiple staff or representatives to create individual accounts to access and manage the organization’s water rights.    

SWRCB estimates that it will take about 30 minutes to sign up for a CalWATRS account and connect to water right records. If you have multiple water rights or if you are part of an organization, it may take longer. If you manage numerous water rights or have a complex portfolio, SWRCB recommends contacting them before setting up a CalWATRS account.   

Despite the new reporting system, SWRCB still expects water right holders to submit their water use reports by Jan. 31, 2026.

Please contact Jessica Diaz for further information or support with water use reporting in California.

SWRCB is also hosting several in-person and virtual events throughout the fall and winter to present the new system, demonstrate system features and offer direct assistance to water right holders:

• State Water Resources Control Board Public Meeting (in-person and virtual) | Oct. 21, 2025
  • Staff will provide a general overview of CalWATRS and upcoming implementation steps.
• CalWATRS Virtual Public Workshop | Oct. 28, 2025
  • The workshop will include a live demonstration of key CalWATRS features and a question-and-answer session. This workshop is open to the public, but the focus will be on water right holders and agents who need to register for an account, connect to water right records and submit annual water use reports. Details will be posted soon.
• CalWATRS In-Person Workshop – Adin, California | Nov. 5, 2025
  • Hosted by the Cattlemen’s Foundation, California Cattle Council and the University for California Cooperative Extension, this in-person workshop will feature CalWATRS demonstrations and individual support for water right holders. Register here.
• CalWATRS In-Person Workshop – Ukiah, California | Nov. 19, 2025
  • Hosted by the Mendocino County Russian River Flood Control District and Mendocino County Farm Bureau, this in-person meeting will include a presentation by the CalWATRS team and one-on-one assistance for water right holders navigating the new system. Details will be posted soon.
• CalWATRS Public Event | Dec. 9, 2025
  • Details forthcoming.

This document is intended to provide you with general information regarding CalWATRS. The contents of this document are not intended to provide specific legal advice. If you have any questions about the contents of this document or if you need legal advice as to an issue, please contact the attorneys listed or your regular Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP attorney. This communication may be considered advertising in some jurisdictions. The information in this article is accurate as of the publication date. Because the law in this area is changing rapidly, and insights are not automatically updated, continued accuracy cannot be guaranteed.