LCRA approves 2026 interruptible agricultural water rates; Garwood rate falls amid higher billing units
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Summary
LCRA approved 2026 interruptible agricultural water rates: Gulf Coast and Lakeside will see a 3% increase to $71.52 per acre-foot; Garwood will see a 9.5% decrease to a weighted average of $40.72 per acre-foot, driven by higher recent acreage planted and increased billing units, staff said.
The Lower Colorado River Authority board on Jan. 28 approved new 2026 interruptible agricultural water rates for the Garwood, Gulf Coast and Lakeside Agricultural divisions.
Kelly Payne, water operations staff, told the board the proposal updates use rates, surcharges and minimum charges and that the proposed rules and rates were available for public comment on the LCRA website. "Highlights include a 3% rate increase to $71.52 per acre-foot in the Gulf Coast and Lakeside Ag divisions," Payne said, and noted that the 3% increase is relative to the last rates charged in calendar year 2022. Payne also said the Garwood division sees a 9.5% rate decrease, producing a weighted average rate of $40.72 per acre-foot; staff attributed the Garwood decrease to increased billing units tied to recent acreage planted over the past three years.
Payne said staff received four applicable written comments and one unrelated comment during the public comment period. After brief discussion in committee earlier the same day, the board approved the rates by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
The board packet includes Exhibit A with additional detail on surcharges and charge adders; the transcript did not recite itemized surcharge figures or individual commenter identities.
