San Diego Water Authority Inks Second Major Water Sale to Riverside County

The authority is leveraging its ample water supply to minimize rate increases for San Diego customers.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:55pm

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A high-end studio still life photograph featuring a polished metal water valve, a glass beaker filled with clear water, and a sleek, modern water filtration system component, all arranged elegantly on a clean, white background and dramatically lit to conceptually represent water infrastructure and management.Sophisticated water infrastructure components symbolize San Diego's strategic investments to ensure reliable supplies, even during drought.San Diego Today

The San Diego County Water Authority's board is set to approve a long-term water sale agreement with Eastern Municipal Water District in Riverside County, the second such deal in recent months. The authority has abundant water supply due to investments in infrastructure and is seeking to sell surplus to other districts to keep rates down for San Diego customers.

Why it matters

San Diego has historically struggled with water scarcity, but recent investments have left the region well-supplied even as drought conditions persist statewide. By selling surplus water, the Water Authority can generate revenue to offset costs for local ratepayers while also supporting water reliability in neighboring regions.

The details

Under the proposed deal, the Water Authority would sell 10,000 acre-feet of water annually to Eastern Municipal Water District, which serves nearly 1 million residents in Riverside County. This follows a similar 21-year, $13 million per year agreement signed last month with Western Municipal Water District. The Water Authority is able to make these sales due to investments in aqueducts, dams, and desalination that have bolstered its long-term supply projections through 2050, even in the face of multiple dry years.

  • The Water Authority board will consider the Eastern Municipal Water District deal at its meeting on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
  • Last month, the Water Authority signed a 21-year, $13 million per year deal to sell 10,000 acre-feet of water to Western Municipal Water District.

The players

San Diego County Water Authority

The regional water wholesaler that provides imported water supplies to 24 member agencies across San Diego County.

Eastern Municipal Water District

A water district that serves nearly 1 million residents in Riverside County, including the cities of Perris, Hemet, San Jacinto, and the Elsinore Valley.

Nick Serrano

The chair of the San Diego County Water Authority board.

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What they’re saying

“Selling water allows us to maximize the value of the investments San Diego County residents made over decades, strengthen water reliability, and do so in a way that is mindful of affordability and public responsibility.”

— Nick Serrano, Board Chair, San Diego County Water Authority

What’s next

The San Diego County Water Authority board will vote on the proposed water sale agreement with Eastern Municipal Water District at its meeting on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

The takeaway

San Diego's strategic investments in water infrastructure have left the region in a strong position to weather drought conditions, allowing the Water Authority to sell surplus supplies to neighboring districts and keep rates affordable for local customers. This demonstrates how proactive planning and infrastructure upgrades can enhance a region's water security and resilience.