Patent ID: 8341090

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for water exchange, the method comprising: receiving, by a computer, a first request for water exchange from a first user, the first user seeking a release of a first amount of excess water, the release being controlled by a water institution; receiving, by the computer, from the water institution, a first set of information related to water usage and water rights of the first user; receiving, by the computer, a second request for water exchange from a second user, the second user seeking an acquisition of a second amount of excess water; determining, by the computer, a potential match between the first request and the second request including optimizing the potential match; transmitting, from the computer, the potential match determination to the second user for approval or rejection; receiving, from the second user, an approval of the potential match determination; in response to receiving the approval of the potential match determination from the second user, transmitting a second set of information describing the water exchange to the water institution, the water institution scheduling water delivery to the second user based at least in part on the second set of information; generating a report including projected water balances and transactions for the first user and the second user, wherein the projected water balances reflect projected water usage; determining outcomes related to the projected water usage including information about water needs and return on an investment; and applying the outcomes in an error analysis and verifying the first set of information related to water usage received from the water institution.