All contractors pay the same rate per acre-foot for the cost of constructing and operating facilities which store and convey the SWP water supply. In addition, each contractor pays a transportation charge which covers the cost of facilities required to deliver water to its service area. Thus, the contractors more distant from the Delta pay higher transportation charges than those near the Delta. Full payments are made each year for fixed SWP costs regardless of the variations in water deliveries that occur from year to year. Fixed costs include those for operation, maintenance and debt service.
Contractors also pay costs which do vary depending on the amount of water delivered during the year.
These include the costs for energy used to pump water to their aqueduct turnout locations. For more information, see Find DWR Info or return to DWR California Water Page Contact DWR Office of Water Education for more information about DWR's water activities.