Permanent Special Agricultural Water Rate Program (PSAWR)
Effective September 1, 2021 SFID is participating in the San Diego County Water Authority's (SDCWA) Permanent Special Agricultural Water Rate (PSAWR) Program, which was developed with input from regional farming leaders. Current customers of the commercial agricultural program may transition to the PSWAR program if they desire. Current Commercial Agriculture customers who do not transition will remain in the existing program.
PSAWR is a program created by the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) in recognition of the economic benefit of agriculture to the region. This is a pass-thru program that SFID will implement and manage. SFID customers benefit from a reduced cost of water in exchange for less reliability. During times of water shortages or emergencies, participating PSAWR customers will be subject to higher water cutbacks compared to non-PSAWR customers and will receive a percent reduction in water supplies that is equal to the percent reduction in supplies set by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California under its shortage action. Customers will be contacted before a cutback takes place, and will be given a timeline, parameters and pertinent information regarding a requested reduction in use.
To enroll in the program, customers must:
- Meet the eligibility requirements (listed below) from the San Diego County Water Authority
- Read and fill out the SDCWA application (fill-able form)
- Read and fill out the SFID agreement (fill-able form)
- Pay the application fee of $34 to Santa Fe Irrigation District
- Return all documents to SFID staff in one of three ways: -
In-Person | 5920 Linea del Cielo, Rancho Santa Fe, CA |
Mail | PO Box 409, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 |
E-Mail | Customerservice@sfidwater.org |
- Staff will then contact you via email to confirm your participation and the date the rate will begin based on billing cycle
Eligibility Requirements:
Customer’s agricultural participation in ONE of the following lists:- Grower's List - The Grower’s List is an inventory of San Diego agricultural operators with a County of San Diego assigned operator identification number associated with pesticide use.
- Active Certified Producers - A Certified Producer is a farmer who has been certified by the County of San Diego’s Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures (AWM) to sell in Certified Farmers Markets (CFMs). This means that AWM inspectors have visited their farm to verify their agricultural production. AWM issues a Certified Producer’s Certificate to the farmer, which lists the products they grow and may sell in a CFM.
- Organic Producers - The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program defines “organic agriculture” as an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. This means that organic operations must maintain or enhance soil and water quality, while also conserving wetlands, woodlands, and wildlife.
- San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board General Agricultural Order Enrollment Program - In 2016, the Regional Board adopted General Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges from Commercial Agricultural Operations (or General Agricultural Orders). The Regional Board requires all owners or operators of Commercial Agricultural Operations that intend to make a profit in the San Diego region to comply with the General Agricultural Orders and enroll in the Regional Board’s program.
For Eligibility in Programs 1, 2, and 3, you may contact:
The San Diego County Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures
(858) 694-2739 (San Diego Office)
(760) 754-4700 (San Marcos Office)
For Eligibility in Program 4, the Water Board encourages applicants to enroll in the Agricultural Order through a third party vendor. To begin this process you may contact:
Frog Environmental Group
(310) 241-0866
The San Diego Farm Bureau / Irrigated Lands Group:
(760) 745-2215
Rate:
*PSAWR only applies to agricultural water demands. For water meters that serve both residential property and agricultural property, the rebate begins after the first 44 HCF in a billing cycle.
| Tier 1 (0-44 HCF) | $ 4.70 |
| Tier 2 (45+ HCF) | $ 5.09 |
For fixed charges see our Rates and Fees