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.”
Farmer watering crops in San Diego County. Photo: Water Authority
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.”
The San Diego County Water Authority and 13 of its member agencies offer growers a special agricultural water rate program: providing lower-cost water in return for lower reliability.
The Water Authority’s Board of Directors approved the Permanent Special Agricultural Water Rate Program (PSAWR) in 2020. It helps support commercial farms driving the economic engine of rural San Diego County. PSAWR gives farmers a choice of what level of water service works best for their operations.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.png00Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngMike Lee2023-04-03 10:30:182023-04-03 14:30:32Special Water Rates Program Reduces Costs for San Diego County Growers
The San Diego County Water Authority and 13 of its member agencies offer growers a special agricultural water rate program: providing lower-cost water in return for lower reliability.
The Water Authority’s Board of Directors approved the Permanent Special Agricultural Water Rate Program (PSAWR) in 2020. It helps support commercial farms driving the economic engine of rural San Diego County. PSAWR gives farmers a choice of what level of water service works best for their operations.
Although San Diego County’s economy is best known for tourism and biotechnology, agriculture accounts for $2 billion yearly in regional economic activity, according to the most recent county assessment.
Vallecitos Water District and PSAWR Program
Vallecitos Water District is among the PSAWR participating agencies, working with growers like Hamid Pezeshkian of Flametree Farms in Vista. Pezeschkian is among 2,000 growers enrolled.
San Diego County production is largely the combined result of more than 5,000 family farms like Pezeshkian’s operation – the most of any county in the United States. In fact, 69% of all San Diego County farms are smaller than nine acres. Innovative practices – including water-use efficiency measures – allow local farms to be productive by focusing on high-value crops.
Healthy Ecosystem Built on Conservation
When he learned about the PSAWR program through the Vallecitos Water District, Hamid Pezeshkian discovered additional options plus a support system to help guide him through the process. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
Originally from Iran, Pezeshkian grows citrus, avocados, and various fruits including passion fruit, dragon fruit, and pomegranates, at his small permaculture farm with 500 trees.
“Planting a diverse range of fruit trees, plants, and cover crops as well as a variety of animals and species that coexist together allowing for a prosperous and healthy ecosystem and healthy soil,” explains Pezeshkian.
Water Conservation for Growers
Water conservation is integral to his operation and an ongoing learning process. Flametree Farms has upgraded its irrigation systems, is implementing rainwater collection systems, and aggressively uses organic compost to keep soil soft and help it retain water. When he learned about the PSAWR program through the Vallecitos Water District, Pezeshkian discovered additional options, plus a support system to help guide him through the process.
Vallecitos Water District “incredible to work with”
“The Vallecitos Water District has been incredible to work with,” said Pezeshkian. “They’re encouraging, they’re positive, and they’ve got an amazing smile when you meet them. They are always there to provide you with guidance and information when you need it.”
Pezeshkian found his best fit by qualifying as an organic producer.
“The Organic Program definitely appealed to me,” he said. “It was the taste of these oranges that made me realize that there’s something really special here in the soil. We put not a single drop of any sprays. These trees are just doing amazing, they’re producing, and I can’t wait to continue to go this path and bring healthy nutritious organic food to the community here and share it with my friends and family.”
Agriculture Among San Diego County’s Leading Industries
Flametree Farms has upgraded its irrigation systems, is implementing rainwater collection systems, and aggressively uses organic compost to keep soil soft and help it retain water. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
Agriculture directly employs 56,000 people in San Diego County, including the second-largest number of farms operated by women and the largest number of part-time farmers in the U.S. Along with avocados, San Diego County farmers rank first in the nation in the production of nursery crops, and in the top five producers nationwide of lemons, limes, guavas, pomegranates, and macadamias.
In exchange for lower priced water, participants agree to have reduced water service when the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California cuts supplies to San Diego County. In turn, the Water Authority can reallocate those supplies as needed to commercial and residential customers who pay for full reliability benefits.
(Editor’s note: The Vallecitos Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego region.)
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Flametree-Orange-845X450.jpeg449845Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2023-04-01 10:25:532023-04-01 16:55:53Special Water Rates Program Reduces Costs for San Diego County Growers
The San Diego County Water Authority has modified its Permanent Special Agricultural Water Rate calculation methodology. The Thursday, Oct. 27, SDCWA board meeting included approval of the modification which allows participating agencies the ability to prescribe how their local supply is allocated under the PSAWR program.
When the San Diego County Water Authority adopted the Permanent Special Agricultural Water Rate, the SDCWA also adopted eligibility criteria but allowed previous Temporary Special Agricultural Water Rate customers a six-month grace period to establish eligibility. The CWA extended that transitional eligibility period by an additional two months June 24. The unanimous CWA board vote extends the temporary eligibility period to Aug. 31. Although the six CWA member agencies who requested an extension of the eligibility period sought a six-month extension, the CWA’s Financial Strategy Working Group recommended the two-month extension which was approved by the CWA board.
Earlier this year, the San Diego County Water Authority approved an ordinance adopting a Permanent Special Agricultural Water Rate and setting the eligibility criteria. On Dec. 7, the Fallbrook Public Utility District board voted 5-0 to update FPUD’s Administrative Code to incorporate the PSAWR.
“It will become a permanent SAWR program with eligibility changes,” Ken Endter, board president of FPUD, said.
The San Diego County Water Authority approved a permanent Special Agricultural Water Rate program late last year but did not include any criteria. On Sept. 24, the SDCWA approved an ordinance adopting the program and setting eligibility criteria.
