Powers and Duties of the Watermaster
The duties of the Watermaster are specified by Court Order. A principle duty of the Watermaster is to prepare and submit to the Court an Annual Report that includes findings and conclusions regarding surface water and groundwater availability and use, imported and exported supplies, reservoir operations, water quality, threats to water supplies, water rights, and the annual budget for the Watermaster office. The Watermaster is also responsible for the administration of agreements and memoranda of understanding between various parties related to water operations in the Santa Margarita River Watershed.
The present Watermaster appointed by the Court is Mr. Michael J. Preszler, Partner with ZANJERO headquartered in Sacramento, California. https://zanjeroams.com/home/
The Powers and Duties of the Watermaster as outlined in Section V of the 1989 Watermaster Order is as follows.
The Watermaster shall have the following powers and duties:
-To update the list of substantial users contained in Sections A, B, and C of Exhibit A to this Order.
-To collect water consumption data and require monthly reports from the substantial users including, for each such user, the amount of water diverted, extracted, impounded or imported and the amount of water used, as follows:
To require every water user designated in Section A of Exhibit A to supply in writing the following factual data for each well owned or operated within the watershed:
-The well owner;
-The location of the well;
-The quantity in acre-feet of water pumped during that month and the use by quantity to which the water was put; and
-The depth in feet to water on or about the last day of that month and designate the zone(s) or aquifer(s) from which well casing perforations permit the production of water
To require every water user designated in Section B of Exhibit A that diverts surface water to supply in writing the following factual data for each designated point of diversion within the watershed:
-The diverter’s name;
-The location of the point of diversions;
-The quantity in acre-feet of water diverted for the preceding month; and
To require every water user designated in Section C of Exhibit A to supply in writing the following factual data for each designated surface storage reservoir;
-The reservoir owner;
-The location of the storage facility;
-The quantity, in acre-feet of water held in storage in such facility on the last day of the preceding month.
-The purpose for which such water was stored.
To require every water importer subject to this order that imports water to supply in writing the following factual data:
-The importer’s name;
-The discharge point of connection of such imported water;
-The quantity in acre-feet, of water imported for the preceding month; and
To require every water user designated in Section A and B of Exhibit A and every importer of water within the Santa Margarita River Watershed to supply in writing the following factual data:
- The user’s name;
- The quantity of water devoted to the uses listed below in each hydrologic sub-unit or area designated by the Watermaster:
-Domestic
-Agricultural irrigation
-Other agriculture
-Industrial
-Commercial
-Public
-Others as Watermaster may deem appropriate.
To require every producer of reclaimed waster water subject to this Order to supply in writing the following factual data:
-The producers’ name;
-The location of use or discharge of reclaimed water;
-The quantity in acre-feet of reclaimed water produced, delivered and discharged for the preceding month.
- To make all reasonable efforts to collect and reconstruct water consumption data for the periods 1966 to date.
- To obtain necessary pump efficiency data.
- To operate and maintain gaging stations, investigate water availability and hydrology, and conduct water quality testing.
- To perform such duties as are required under the Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement on Operation of Lake Skinner.
- To take custody of existing records and reports, maintain proper records, and prepare periodic written reports are required by this Court.
- To locate and investigate unauthorized water appropriations within the Santa Margarita River Watershed.
- To assist in locating, investigating and enjoying water quality violations within the Santa Margarita River Watershed.
- The Watermaster shall have the authority to enter, upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times, upon the lands of any party to conduct such tests and measurements as he deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this, or any other order of the Court with respect to the duties enumerated above.
- To the extent not superseded herein, this Order incorporates by reference the powers and duties granted by the Court in its order filed January 27, 1966, as modified on April 6, 1966.
- To design, print and distribute the forms necessary to convey the information required by this or any other applicable Order of the Court.
- To report to the Steering Committee, established pursuant to Court Order, on a quarterly basis regarding the status of the Watermaster’s investigation, proposed budget items for the upcoming water year and to respond to questions regarding the process of any programs established by the Watermaster in implementing this Order.
- To prepare a written plan within 120 days of the date of this Order stating the methodology and procedures for accomplishing the duties described above, including:
– A timetable for identifying substantial users and characterizing their use;
– A list of locations, numbers and descriptions of existing and proposed gaging stations;
– A detailed plan for the conduct of water quality testing to including collecting existing hydrological information and conducting additional tests of both surface and ground water;
The Watermaster shall serve the above-described plan to the parties in accordance with paragraph II, above.