Interruptible Water Rates - Agricultural Program

 
 

In 1994, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California's (MWD) Board of Directors adopted an Interim Agricultural Water Program (IAWP).  This program allows doe a discounted rate for surplus system supplies available for the purpose of growing agricultural, horticultural, or floricultural products.

MWD provides this discount on surplus water used for agricultural purposes; therefore IAWP is subject to interruption in the event that surplus water is not available or mandatory reductions in the event that surplus water is limited.

Although Rincon simply serves as a pass-through for this discount - from MWD to those that qualify for the program - Rincon is responsible for insuring that it's customer's abide by the rules and regulations stipulated by MWD. There are many important terms to consider before re-certifying or submitting an application for enrollment into the IAWP.  By applying for this program, you are agreeing to  the terms specified within this web page and discussed below:
   
  Rates:
  1.  Qualifying agricultural water users will receive a discount of $.49 off Rincon's retail water rate ($.49 per unit, which is one thousand gallons).  A domestic water use value of 39,000 gallons every two months will be billed at the full retail rate for any meter that serves both agricultural and residential water for any given parcel.
  2.  Discount pricing subjects your water service to interruption or mandatory reductions should there be a declared water shortage of any type.  IAWP participants would be required to reduce usage by up to 30% BEFORE any other Rincon water use classification is required to reduce usage.  The following chart shows the ration of reduction projected of IAWP participants and all other water users.
 
 

Water Shortage - Usage Reduction Requirements

  

If All Other Water Users are required to reduce use by:

Then IAWP Participants are required to reduce use by:
Voluntary Up to 30%
1% - 14% 30%
15% 40%
20% 50%
30% 90%
   
  3.  Discounts are not retroactive for new program participants for any water used while not enrolled in the IAWP.
   
  Qualifications:
  1.  The term "agricultural purposes" is defined as the growing or raising, in conformity with recognized practices of husbandry, for the purpose of commerce, trade, or industry; of agricultural, horticultural, of floricultural products that are produced for: A) Human consumption; B) Feeding of fowl or livestock produced for human consumption or market; and/or, C) Feeding of livestock or fowl for the purpose of obtaining products for human consumption or for market.
  2.  There is a minimum requirement of one acre designated solely for agricultural purposes as described above. This will be verified by aerial photography and/or site visit at no cost to the customer.
  3.  You must complete and submit an IAWP application to be considered for program enrollment.  Re-certification is mandatory on an "as requested-basis" by Rincon.  Information provided on the application will be verified by Rincon and may require an on-site visit conducted by Rincon staff.  You will be contacted for scheduling purposes should this be necessary.
  4.  If you should decide to leave the IAWP, a 365-day notice is required.  Should a water shortage be declared within that time period, any mandatory reduction or service interruption would still apply.  A notice of participation termination will not be acknowledged during a declared water shortage.  The 365-day waiting period will begin once the declared water shortage has been rescinded.
  5.  In the event that a change of ownership occurs for a property enrolled in IAWP, the new owner must submit an application to be considered for program particiption.
  6.  Subsidies for the IAWP are provided by MWD, and therefore the IAWP can be terminated at the discretion of MWD.  Additionally, any mandatory reductions or service interruptions as an IAWP participant are declared by MWD. Not withstanding, Rincon maintains the right to declare service interruptions or restrictions at any time for any of its customers as deemed necessary due to system maintenance, repairs, etc.
  7.  A violation of any of the IAWP terms may be subject to retroactive billing for the amount of issued discounts plus additional fines and charges levied by MWD and/or Rincon  Fraudulent information is subject to prosecution.
   
  NOTICE:  As stated above, the discount provided under the IAWP is based on the ability to reduce or interrupt water deliveries to participating agricultural customers.  It is important that all IAWP participants understand that mandatory reductions or service interruptions may occur in future years.  Circumstances such as drought, as well as natural disasters or unforeseen emergencies could cause potential reductions or service interruptions under the IAWP.
   
  NOTE:  Although not a requirement of the IAWP, all agricultural customers are required to be equipped with a backflow device.  Please visit our Backflow Page for more information
 

 DOWN LOAD THE IAWP APPLICATION NOW 

The application can be returned to Rincon with your next payment, by direct mail (1920 North Iris Lane, Escondido, CA 92026), or by email to info@rinconwater.org.  You will be notified (within 30 days of submitting your application) of your IAWP status.