Water Sale Collaboration Leads to Increased Local Supplies by San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency Jan 27, 2023 Member Submitted News BEAUMONT – In a move to further safeguard the region’s water supply, San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency (SGPWA) conducted a water sale agreement with Central Coast Water Authority (CCWA) that will bring additional water to the Pass Area. Under the agreement, SGPWA sold 400 acre-feet of available imported water to CCWA for $600,000. SGPWA will set aside the funds for future water purchases from the California water market, allowing the agency to strategically expand and diversify its local water portfolio. As part of the deal, CCWA will return 800 acre-feet of water to SGPWA over 10 years, an exchange that doubles the amount of water coming back into the region. “Any chance we have to grow our resources is a win,” said SGPWA Board President Larry Smith. “Deals like this allow SGPWA to bring more water to the Pass Area, keep rates down, and take advantage of wet year opportunities.” CCWA is responsible for the delivery of State Water Project (SWP) water to Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, including operation of a pipeline that connects the SWP to these areas. The transfer provides supplemental water supplies to CCWA’s participating agencies for their use in 2023. “Across California, communities are facing short- and long-term water supply issues. Collaboration is key to overcoming these challenges. This partnership helps CCWA continue to meet current demand, while positioning SGPWA to grow its supplies for future needs,” said CCWA Executive Director Ray Stokes. For more information on SGPWA, go to www.sgpwa.com. To learn more about CCWA, visit www.ccwa.com. ### About San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency Formed in 1961, SGPWA is a State Water Contractor that serves a 225-square-mile area of western Riverside County. The service area includes the cities of Calimesa, Beaumont, and Banning, and the communities of Cherry Valley, Cabazon, and the Banning Bench. In addition to importing State Water Project (SWP) water from Northern California to augment local groundwater sources, the Agency builds local system infrastructure, participates in water transfers, partners in statewide water projects and collaborates on regional water reliability and conservation efforts.