Permanent Special Agricultural Water Rate Program (PSAWR)

The PSAWR program was adopted by the San Diego County Water Authority and its member agencies on January 1, 2021, to provide farmer and grower customers the option to receive a reduced water rate in exchange for a reduced level of water service during water shortage and emergencies.

Previously known as the Temporary Special Agricultural Water Rate (TSAWR) Program also provided a special rate for farmers and growers. The TSAWR program ended December 31, 2020, and transitioned to a permanent program (PSAWR).

New agricultural customers may sign up to receive the PSAWR Program water rate at any time during non-service limitation periods. Non-service limitations periods are when there are no service limitations imposed to the City such as a cutback or emergency situations.

Customers who are registered for the PSAWR program and choose to remove themselves for any reason will become ineligible to rejoin the PSAWR program unless the property has been sold and under new ownership.

If you are interested in participating in the PSAWR program please see the eligibility criteria and instructions below on how to apply for the PSAWR program.  Before applying, read the CY 2023 PSAWR Program Handbook for important additional information.

Eligibility Criteria

To participate in the PSAWR program customers must:

Grow or raise – for commercial purposes – products of an agricultural, horticultural, or floricultural nature.
Be enrolled on one of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) or County of San Diego’s four regional eligibility lists.

1. Regional Board General Agricultural Order Enrollment List
2. Grower’s List
3. Active Certified Producers
4. Organic Producer

How to Apply

Step 1: Verify that you are enrolled on one of the four regional eligibility lists.

Step 2: If you are not currently on a list, you must enroll in one before applying the program. Enrollment information can be found on the websites listed for each eligibility lists.

Step 3: Fill out the PSAWR Enrollment Form and send it, along with verification of being on an eligibility list, to the Water Utilities Department via email to waterefficiency@oceansideca.org, or mail to ATTN: Jordan Alejo, 300 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054.

Questions?

Please call (760) 435-4500 or email waterefficiency@oceansideca.org if you have any questions about this program.