The Internet of Water Drinking Water Rates Survey is an ingestion tool for drinking water rates. With this tool, we can begin to create a centralized, public database to make rates data easier to find, access, and use in a standardized format.
Only two states, New Mexico and California, have existing water data legislation: New Mexico’s 2019 Water Data Act and California’s 2016 Open and Transparent Water Data Act. Oregon’s legislature also passed funding packages in 2021 for its water agencies to design a new integrated water data portal. This policy brief compares processes, outcomes, and costs associated with the legislation and funding for water data initiatives in New Mexico, California, and Oregon.
To improve decision-making and ensure equitable, sustainable, and resilient water resources protection, development and management, the United States must build an effective Internet of Water. These four actions will make an Internet of Water possible: developing a water data-sharing pilot grant program at EPA, creating a corresponding water data-sharing grant program at USGS, establishing a new water data-sharing framework at USGS, and encouraging federal agencies to adopt Internet of Water Principles.
This policy brief provides an overview of water data legislation in the United States, as well water data policy recommendations and guidance.
Only two states, NM and CA, currently have water data legislation. This document compares processes, outcomes, and costs associated with the legislation.