Water Authority Supports Farm Economy with Rate Discount

The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors today voted unanimously to renew the Permanent Special Agriculture Water Rate (PSAWR) Program, ensuring discounted water remains available to the region’s farmers in the coming years.

The extension of the program, which began in its current form in 2020, was backed by the San Diego County Farm Bureau. San Diego County is home to more farms than any county in the nation, making the discount water rates program vital to the continued success of the local agricultural sector. More than 1,000 farmers across 11 retail water agencies are enrolled in the program.

“The Water Authority has worked closely with San Diego’s ag community to sustain a program that is valuable to farmers while also benefitting the entire region,” said Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham. “This is a win for our region’s economy and residents, supporting jobs and a way of life that is part of San Diego County’s identity.”

PSAWR was designed to provide qualified agricultural customers the benefit of discounted water in exchange for an interruptible, lower level of service during times of water supply shortages or emergencies. The program is valuable to non-farm customers because it helps maintain water sales and spreads fixed costs over larger volumes of water that otherwise would be paid by non-farm customers.

PSAWR rates were already in place for 2026. Today’s action by the Water Authority Board creates a framework for extending the program in 2027.

“The Authority has long been – and clearly remains – a dedicated supporter of the region’s 5,000 farms and farmers,” San Diego County Farm Bureau President Jimmy Ukegawa said in a Nov. 4 letter to Water Authority Board Chair Nick Serrano urging the renewal of the ag rate program. “The Farm Bureau sincerely appreciates the time, effort, and thoughtful attention the Board and staff have devoted to this critical issue.”