What is the QSA and why is it good for San Diego County?
The Quantification Settlement Agreement refers to the historic agreement between the San Diego County Water Authority, Coachella Valley Water District, Imperial Irrigation District, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Signed on October 10, 2003, the QSA fundamentally changed the way Colorado River water is distributed and used in California. This agreement provides California a transition period to implement water transfers and supply programs that will reduce California’s over-dependence upon the Colorado River and reduce the state’s draw to its 4.4 million acre-foot annual apportionment. Importantly for San Diego County, the QSA clears the way for the annual transfer of up to 200,000 acre-feet of water from the Imperial Irrigation District to the Water Authority. An additional 77,700 acre-feet of water will flow annually to the Water Authority for 110 years through the lining of the All American and Coachella canals. When the deliveries of the water are fully
