2025-26 North County Groundwater Production Charge-Setting Process

Our District Act provides that groundwater charges may be levied to further the protection and augmentation of the water supplies as well as produce groundwater for beneficial use; may be collected from all those within a zone who own or operate water producing wells whether currently active or not; and that groundwater production charge revenue may be used to pay for and incur debt for the following:

Water supplies

• Operate and maintain local reservoirs to capture water and fill recharge ponds to replenish the groundwater basin
• Purchase imported water and develop local water supplies to replenish the groundwater basin

Water quality

• Monitor and protect groundwater from pollutants and saltwater intrusion
• Ensure proper construction and destruction of wells to help prevent contaminants from infiltrating the groundwater basin

Infrastructure

• Plan, construct and retrofit infrastructure such as dams, pipelines, recharge ponds and pump stations to help sustain the groundwater table
• Operate and maintain pipelines, recharge ponds and pumping plants to help sustain the groundwater table

How will rates change?

The water district is recommending a 9.9 percent rate increase for groundwater, an average household increase of $7.60 per month.

Agricultural water rates shown in the 2025-26 PAWS report reflect the direction provided by Valley Water's Board of Directors to maintain the Agricultural water rate at or under 10 percent of the lowest South County Zone (Zone W-8) Municipal and Industrial rate. 

*Effective July 1, 2025