San Diego County Water Authority Agrees To Water Delivery Deal With Another Riverside Agency

SAN DIEGO, CA — Less than a month after cutting a deal with a Riverside County water district, the San Diego County Water Authority's board Thursday approved another agreement with a different water agency from the county to the north.

The water authority will supply an annual quantity of 10,000 acre-feet to the Eastern Municipal Water District of Southern California for 21 years at a rate in year one of around $1,350 per acre-foot. Additionally, Eastern will pre-purchase an additional 30,000 acre-feet for $19 million. All told, in the first five years of the agreement, the water authority would generate $74 million in new revenue.

"When I became chair, I committed to bring new, innovative solutions to the table to match the moment we're in with ratepayer affordability as our North Star," said Water Authority Board Chair Nick Serrano. "This partnership is exactly that: practical and common-sense regional cooperation that strengthens reliability and creates real value for ratepayers."

The Eastern Municipal Water District of Southern California serves largely rural areas of western Riverside County such as Perris, Hemet, San Jacinto and the Elsinore Valley and serves nearly 1 million people.

"Regional cooperation is essential for a stable water future," said EMWD Board President Stephen J. Corona. "This agreement highlights how collaboration can generate benefits well beyond our service boundaries."

The deal would begin with Eastern purchasing 6,240 acre-feet (a unit of measurement describing the amount of water to cover an acre of land in one foot of water) this year, then will add around 950 acre-feet per year until the full annual quantity is reached in 2030.

Last month, the water authority and the Western Municipal Water District inked a similar long-term water supply agreement. Western will also receive a minimum of 10,000 acre-feet of water annually over the next 21 years, enough to supply around 30,000 Southern California households each year.

That agency, which provides water, wastewater, and recycled water services to nearly 1 million people across 527 square miles in Riverside County, also agreed to purchase around 30,000 acre-feet of water for future delivery, a nearly $40 million investment.

According to that deal, the partnership will generate $13.5 million annually in revenue for the San Diego County Water Authority, with the agreement expected to deliver around $100 million over the first five years after accounting for the upfront payments.

"Affordability and reliability go hand-in-hand," said Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham on Thursday. "This new agreement shows that when agencies share resources and expertise, we can deliver greater value for our customers. EMWD has been an exceptional partner in advancing a more resilient and innovative water future."

Water purchased as part of the deals will be delivered through existing connections within the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California's system, meaning no new infrastructure is needed.

— City News Service