The Southern California Agricultural Water Team was created through the California Avocado Commission to assist growers in the general Southern California region to better understand the changing cost and availability of agricultural water. While most of this activity is reflects the pricing structure of the region’s largest wholesaler of water, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, there are other agencies that impact price and availability and there are some growers outside of Metropolitan's service area.

It should be kept in mind that Metropolitan sells water only on a wholesale basis. In many cases, especially among its city member agencies, the water and the cost flows through those cities directly to the consumer. In other cases, especially where a municipal water district is involved (or in the case of San Diego, the a county water authority) the water and the cost may (and probably does) flow through three agencies before reaching the consumer. Metropolitan imports the water from the Colorado River and the State Water Project, sells it to a municipal or county water authority that, in turn, sells it to a local retailer. The local retailer may be a public or private entity. Most water providers in California are public agencies.

The role, then, of the SCAWT is to:

• Create a broad understanding of the nuances of Southern California water resources and rate issues among the grower community;
• Provide an educational forum and exchange medium to share important water availability and price information;
• Assist in helping water agencies understanding grower issues;
• Engage in the member agency and sub-agency water resource and rate discussions to ensure that CAC members can best position themselves locally;
• Provide rapid access to current and historical water information;
• Respond to grower questions about water and water pricing.

Print this page