Dry-Year Water Transfers

To help offset water supply reductions caused by general drought conditions and regulatory restrictions on State Water Project deliveries to the region, the Water Authority pursues short-term dry-year water transfers to help ensure adequate water supplies for the region.

These short-term dry-year water transfers are consistent with the Water Authority’s Water Shortage and Drought Response Plan.

2008 Dry-Year Transfers

In 2008, the Water Authority implemented an agreement with Butte Water District (BWD) and Sutter Extension Water District (SEWD) for a total of 23,077 acre-feet of transfer water at a cost of $200 per acre-foot. As the year progressed and the Water Authority successfully managed its water supplies, the purchased water was not needed for immediate use. After accounting for delta conveyance and California Aqueduct losses, these transfer supplies were placed into the Water Authority’s acquired groundwater storage account in the Semitropic Water Storage District. As a result, 16,117 acre-feet of water was stored for future use.

2009 Dry-Year Transfers

In 2009, the Water Authority purchased 20,000 acre-feet of dry-year water supplies from Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) for $225 per acre-foot, including a call payment of $40 per acre-foot, made available through a reservoir release. The Department of Water Resources confirmed the delivery of 15,520 acre-feet to the Water Authority’s service area (20,000 acre-feet less delta conveyance and California Aqueduct losses).

2010 Dry-Year Transfers

Since July 2009, MWD implemented a regional shortage level 2 in accordance with its Water Supply Allocation Plan, which has resulted in significant reduction in demands throughout its service area. In March 2010, the Water Authority projected that the Water Authority’s fiscal year 2010 water sales could be approximately 100,000 acre-feet below the amount of available water allocated to member agencies. If the need arose for additional water supplies, the Water Authority could obtain it from MWD and remain within its allocation. Due to the changed conditions of the Water Authority’s water demands and the expense necessary to obtain the necessary approvals and agreements for dry-year transfers, the Water Authority did not proceed with 2010 dry-year transfers.

The Water Authority will continue, as needed, to pursue additional opportunities to supplement core water supplies in the years ahead to help reduce the impact of potential water shortages.

For more information please submit a request.