SD Food Policy Action Network
WATER POLICY
In order to ease the water shortage, we will likely have to develop many alternatives that will each account for a small percentage of our total water supply.
Proposal: Overall water policy should prioritize food production. Summer and drought-year water restrictions for residences should favor backyard growing.
Proposal: Overall water policy should prioritize food production. Summer and drought-year water restrictions for residences should favor backyard growing.
Background Information:
San Diego imports approximately 90 percent of its water. Our water challenges are many, but the bottom line is that only 10.2% percent is used for agriculture, while 60.2% of all water is consumed by residential uses. Despite the county’s national standing as having the most small and organic farms (and women farmers), the high cost of water is prohibitive and we are losing farms everyday.
Not much has been done to change this thus far. $922 per acre foot is the approximate Municipal and Industrial (M&I) water rate for 2010, which includes all relevant fees. Historically, water for agricultural use has been made available at a reduced rate by way of a special Metropolitan Water District Program called the Interim Agricultural Water Rate Program. However, because the program is scheduled for complete phase out by December 31, 2012, the dollar per acre- foot discount is set to decrease each year between 2009 and 2012 until the agricultural rate reaches parity with the M&I rate. In an effort to transition to this increased cost, many farmers are moving to full M&I rate in advance of full phase out.
AN ADDITIONAL CHALLENGE FOR FARMERS: While farmers have access to subsidized water, they were the first to face county water cuts. Those farmers -- e.g., some large-scale ornamental growers -- who could afford the regular water rate escaped the cuts. Many of those who could not afford to transition to the M&I rate before the full decrease have struggled, and some have foundered altogether.
In town, the restrictions on water-use stand regardless of whether you grow food or not. (Scroll all the way down for the City of San Diego's restrictions and hardship variance. Shouldn't there be a variance for urban farmers?)
References:
1. Feenstra, G, and Ellsworth, S. (December 2010). Assessing the San Diego County Food System: Indicators for a More Food Secure Future. Davis, CA: University of CA, pg 41.
2. San Diego Food System Assessment: www.SanDiegoFoodSystem.com
Not much has been done to change this thus far. $922 per acre foot is the approximate Municipal and Industrial (M&I) water rate for 2010, which includes all relevant fees. Historically, water for agricultural use has been made available at a reduced rate by way of a special Metropolitan Water District Program called the Interim Agricultural Water Rate Program. However, because the program is scheduled for complete phase out by December 31, 2012, the dollar per acre- foot discount is set to decrease each year between 2009 and 2012 until the agricultural rate reaches parity with the M&I rate. In an effort to transition to this increased cost, many farmers are moving to full M&I rate in advance of full phase out.
AN ADDITIONAL CHALLENGE FOR FARMERS: While farmers have access to subsidized water, they were the first to face county water cuts. Those farmers -- e.g., some large-scale ornamental growers -- who could afford the regular water rate escaped the cuts. Many of those who could not afford to transition to the M&I rate before the full decrease have struggled, and some have foundered altogether.
In town, the restrictions on water-use stand regardless of whether you grow food or not. (Scroll all the way down for the City of San Diego's restrictions and hardship variance. Shouldn't there be a variance for urban farmers?)
References:
1. Feenstra, G, and Ellsworth, S. (December 2010). Assessing the San Diego County Food System: Indicators for a More Food Secure Future. Davis, CA: University of CA, pg 41.
2. San Diego Food System Assessment: www.SanDiegoFoodSystem.com
CITY WATER NEWS: The City has made water-use restrictions permanent. (CLICK HERE FOR CITY DOCS)
So now is the time to learn more about creating your own water source. Collect rain! *
"During a normal year about 10-20 percent of the City's water supply is made up of local rainfall and is captured in one of our reservoirs. The remaining 80-90 percent is imported via the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) and the San Diego County Water Authority (CWA) from two separate sources. A 242 mile-long aqueduct brings Colorado River water from Lake Havasu to the southland. This water may have originated as snow melt on the mountain slopes of Utah, Wyoming or Colorado and traveled more than 1,000 miles before being diverted to Southern California."
"San Diego also receives water which originates in Northern California from the State Water Project. This water is captured in reservoirs north of Sacramento and released through natural rivers and streams into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The 444 mile-long California Aqueduct then carries the water from south of the Delta to State Water Project contractors throughout the state such as MWD."
"The MWD blends Colorado and State Project water for San Diego to achieve the highest quality for treatment and taste. The water is then transferred to the San Diego treatment plants at Miramar, Alvarado and Otay reservoirs, via pipelines operated by CWA.
"A small portion of our water comes to us as treated, import water, purchased from the Skinner Treatment Plant in Rancho California."
References:
1. City of San Diego Gov Website: http://www.sandiego.gov/water/quality/
* Here are three upcoming events at H2OME - Smart Water Savings that may interest you:
1. Make your own Rain Barrel Workshop at City College - Saturday, December 4, 9-12am
2. Rainwater Tank Installation workshop at Wild Willows Farm - Saturday, December 4, 2-5
3. Water Harvesting Tour and Short Film Screening - Saturday, December 18th, 10-11:30am, 2 -3:30pm
"During a normal year about 10-20 percent of the City's water supply is made up of local rainfall and is captured in one of our reservoirs. The remaining 80-90 percent is imported via the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) and the San Diego County Water Authority (CWA) from two separate sources. A 242 mile-long aqueduct brings Colorado River water from Lake Havasu to the southland. This water may have originated as snow melt on the mountain slopes of Utah, Wyoming or Colorado and traveled more than 1,000 miles before being diverted to Southern California."
"San Diego also receives water which originates in Northern California from the State Water Project. This water is captured in reservoirs north of Sacramento and released through natural rivers and streams into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The 444 mile-long California Aqueduct then carries the water from south of the Delta to State Water Project contractors throughout the state such as MWD."
"The MWD blends Colorado and State Project water for San Diego to achieve the highest quality for treatment and taste. The water is then transferred to the San Diego treatment plants at Miramar, Alvarado and Otay reservoirs, via pipelines operated by CWA.
"A small portion of our water comes to us as treated, import water, purchased from the Skinner Treatment Plant in Rancho California."
References:
1. City of San Diego Gov Website: http://www.sandiego.gov/water/quality/
* Here are three upcoming events at H2OME - Smart Water Savings that may interest you:
1. Make your own Rain Barrel Workshop at City College - Saturday, December 4, 9-12am
2. Rainwater Tank Installation workshop at Wild Willows Farm - Saturday, December 4, 2-5
3. Water Harvesting Tour and Short Film Screening - Saturday, December 18th, 10-11:30am, 2 -3:30pm
Hardship Variance and Cost Recovery Fee
Under the Emergency Water Regulations, a customer can file a hardship variance from the Level 2 restrictions if, due to particular circumstances, a specific requirement of the regulations would result in undue hardship. Customers are required to file an application for variance, along with supporting documentation.
There is a non-refundable processing fee as part of the variance request. Variance requests from larger customers generally require more time to process and therefore a higher fee is required. The fees are based on meter size:
For variance criteria and to download a Variance Request form, go to variance request.
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There is a non-refundable processing fee as part of the variance request. Variance requests from larger customers generally require more time to process and therefore a higher fee is required. The fees are based on meter size:
- $25 ¾" and 1" meters (single family residence, very small commercial properties)
- $50 1 ½" and 2" meters (medium commercial properties and most irrigation meters)
- $100 2" meters and larger (large commercial properties)
For variance criteria and to download a Variance Request form, go to variance request.
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