Copyright timesofsandiego
As San Diego County continues to navigate the complex challenges of water affordability and supply reliability, the Permanent Special Agricultural Water Rate Program, or PSAWR, offers a smart, equitable solution that economically benefits the entire region — not just farmers. Some water agencies have asked: “What’s in it for us?” — especially those who don’t serve farmers directly. It’s a fair question. But the answer is clear: PSAWR helps stabilize water rates across the region, preserve local jobs, protect our economy and sustain the environment of San Diego County. Let’s start with the basics. PSAWR is a voluntary program run by the San Diego County Water Authority, in various forms, for many years. It offers farmers who opt into the program a lower-cost water supply, even though water costs here remain higher than in many parts of the West. In exchange, the program has required farmers to give up access to some water reliability that urban customers depend on. That might sound like a good deal just for farmers, but the benefits go far beyond agriculture. PSAWR helps keep farmers in business, which helps keep our water system more affordable for everyone. If the PSAWR program is eliminated, agricultural water sales will continue to plummet and that will force everyone else in San Diego County to pay higher water bills. The reason is the costs for the infrastructure of our water system are largely fixed, so when large water users disappear that means higher costs for everyone else to cover the “mortgage” on our massive water treatment and delivery system. Agricultural water sales are critical for generating tens of millions of dollars in revenue every budget cycle. Put simply, every lost acre of farmland increases the financial burden on the rest of us. And keep in mind that water demand on farms, once gone, will never come back; most of the farmland we have lost and continue to lose is too steep and rocky for residential development or is located in agricultural conservation easement areas that prevent development. But that’s not all. San Diego County’s $1.8 billion agriculture industry supports more than 12,000 jobs. When water prices rise too high, farmers don’t just cut back — they shut down. That means lost jobs, lost tax revenue, and lost environmental services like carbon sequestration and erosion prevention that farms provide. San Diego has long been a leader in water supply innovation — and water conservation. PSAWR is another example of that leadership. It’s a practical, forward-looking policy that recognizes the unique role of agriculture in our region and offers a fair way to support it. Supporting PSAWR isn’t about choosing farms over cities. It’s about recognizing that we’re all part of the same water system — and a healthy agriculture sector helps keep that system strong and affordable for everyone. As board members, we have a responsibility to look beyond the boundaries of our individual agencies and consider the regional good. PSAWR is a smart investment in our shared future. Let’s keep San Diego County growing — together. Gary Arant, Frank Hilliker, Jim Madaffer and Amy Reeh are board members of the San Diego County Water Authority.
