How is local agriculture being impacted by current water supply challenges?
The impact of these supply restrictions is being felt by thousands of growers and agricultural water users in San Diego County. About 5,000 voluntarily participated in the Metropolitan Water District-sponsored Interim Agricultural Water Program (IAWP). This program allowed farmers to purchase water at a reduced rate, and in exchange they agreed to have their water cut back by 30 percent during supply shortages before residential and commercial supplies are reduced. On January 1, 2008, these customers had their IAWP supplies cut by 30 percent. Growers stumped trees or found other ways to cut production to comply with the cuts. They may be required to abide by deeper cuts if urban water cutbacks are ordered.
