SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Eligible South Tahoe Public Utility District customers can receive a free smart water monitoring device to detect leaks, prevent water damage and participate in a statewide study.

California has passed Senate Bill 1157, which establishes new water use targets for municipal water utilities. The regulation establishes a statewide indoor water use standard of 42 gallons per capita per day beginning January 1, 2030. The Department of Water Resources is working with Flume to assess the feasibility of these future indoor water use standards and to help analyze their impacts and benefits.

This multi-million dollar study will leverage Flume’s network of over 50,000 sensors located throughout California. Flume is also working with over 50 California water utilities, including the South Tahoe Public Utility District, to provide free “smart” water monitors. The Flume water monitor differs from the District’s standard water meter with unique technology that allows homeowners to understand how water is used inside and outside their home, down to the individual fixtures. Residents install the device on their meter in just 10 minutes and use a mobile app to view water usage and receive instant leak detection 24/7.

“We learned that working with the state to develop new regulations ensures that Tahoe’s unique climate and population are taken into account,” said Shelly Thomsen, director of public and legislative affairs. “We’ve worked with the state before to ensure our dense forests are taken into account when aerial imagery is used to determine outdoor water use. We also helped them develop the seasonal population variance so that all of our visitors’ water use can be included in South Lake’s water budget.”

Of the South Tahoe Public Utility District’s 14,000 water customers, 3,000 are equipped with water meters compatible with the Flume device. These customers will receive an invitation email and can sign up to receive a free Flume smart water monitoring device.

“Participation in this program is completely voluntary and will help residents conserve water and the state determine if their indoor water use goal is achievable,” Thomsen said. “We want to make sure regulations are not based solely on the water use of residents in Southern California and the Bay Area.”