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Poway council hears water authority report on surplus‑water sales and potential interstate desal transfer
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Summary
Eric Heidemann briefed the council on a settlement with the Metropolitan Water District that stabilizes transportation costs for 10 years, recent sales of surplus water to member agencies, and exploration of an interstate transfer of about 50,000 acre‑feet of desalinated water; he said these developments should help moderate regional rate pressure.
Eric Heidemann gave the council an update on recent San Diego County Water Authority activity, focusing on a settlement with the Metropolitan Water District and several surplus‑water transactions intended to reduce fixed costs tied to a long take‑or‑pay contract with Imperial Irrigation District.
Heidemann said the settlement fixes transportation costs for a 10‑year period and that the Water Authority recently sold 10,000 acre‑feet to Western Municipal Water District under a long‑term (about 21‑year) contract; another exchange of 10,000 acre‑feet with Eastern Municipal Water District was likely to be executed soon. He also said the authority is exploring an interstate transfer of roughly 50,000 acre‑feet of desalinated water to parties outside California, which would remove expensive desal water from the authority's balance sheet.
Council members asked clarifying questions about what 'transportation costs' refer to (conveyance via aqueducts rather than shipping) and about the take‑or‑pay mechanics with Imperial Irrigation District; Heidemann said the sales and potential interstate transfer help offset fixed costs and reduce upward pressure on regional rates but cautioned outcomes depend on pending agreements and federal/state processes governing the Colorado River.
No formal council action was requested or taken on the water matters.
