Groundwater, water held underground in the soil or rock, is one of California's most precious and contentious resources. Due to California's climate and long-lasting droughts, roughly 85% of California's population and much of its $50 billion agriculture industry rely on groundwater as their main water source.
In an attempt to distribute this resource fairly and sustainably, groundwater is becoming increasingly regulated. Water managers need accurate and reliable data about groundwater location, volume, replenishment, and usage now more than ever to ensure they are complying with new laws.
New tools are emerging to gather data on groundwater availability and use. Virridy, a provider of low-cost remote water monitoring solutions, is using their pump monitoring devices to measure and relay on-the-ground data that is accurate and easy for water managers to understand.
When sensors are deployed in remote areas, transmitting that data from the field back to the Internet can be a challenge due to the lack of low-cost globally available connectivity solutions. To address this, Virridy has partnered with Swarm Technologies, the lowest-cost available satellite connectivity provider.
The Need for Accurate Data
California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requires water managers to bring their regions into compliance with sustainability standards by 2040. Most regions are still developing their Groundwater Sustainability Plans and require access to accurate data. Unfortunately, the current groundwater data landscape is fragmented, unscientific, and frustrating.
Fortunately, there are new initiatives emerging to help. The California Data Collaborative is working to advance common data standards across the water industry. The Environmental Defense Fund's OpenET project helps farmers and water managers accurately track water consumption using remote data from imaging satellites.
Data from the Field
Despite these advances, there are still few in-field solutions designed to measure the quantity of existing groundwater or monitor its extraction. Virridy is using its innovative monitoring devices to collect more accurate data straight from the pump and deliver it to decision-makers.
Many wells currently require in-person manual readings to collect data on water volume or pumping. Virridy is able to gather accurate pumping volumes by attaching low-cost monitoring devices at the pump, providing water managers with accurate, complete, and up-to-date reporting information.
Reliable and Low-Cost Data Transfer
Swarm's network of satellites provides 100% global coverage, allowing Virridy's devices to transmit data no matter where the pumps are located. Unlike terrestrial networks that can be knocked out by weather or man-made events, Swarm's space-based system offers greater reliability. Swarm's low-cost hardware and data service means that Virridy can spend less to transmit their data, and water managers can stay compliant without breaking the bank.