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yesterday

San Diego County, Metro Water District Settle 15-Year Colorado River Water Price Fight

The agreement fixes delivery rates at $671 per acre-foot from 2026 with inflation-linked adjustments to boost budgeting certainty.

Leaders from the SDCWA and Metropolitan sign an agreement ending 15 years of litigation.
Some 75% of Southern California’s water supply comes from the Colorado Aqueduct, built in the 1930s to transport water from the Colorado River to the region. This photo shows water flowing through the Southern California desert in an aqueduct supply channel. (MWD of Southern California via AP)
A sign warns about lower water levels near the entrance to Castaic Lake. The San Diego County Water Authority and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California just settled a long-running lawsuit over water rates. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Overview

  • The settlement signed on June 2 ends litigation over delivery charges that began in 2010 between the two Southern California water agencies.
  • From 2026 the San Diego County Water Authority will pay a flat $671 per acre-foot for Colorado River supplies with annual inflation adjustments.
  • Under the pact SDCWA can sell conserved water supplies to MWD or other member agencies across the region.
  • SDCWA has secured 277,700 acre-feet per year through conservation deals with the Imperial Irrigation District and canal-lining projects.
  • Leaders say the deal will stabilize water rates for San Diego residents, reduce future legal risks and improve regional water management flexibility.