The Water Rates Working Group recruits, organizes, and supports small-scale, food producing agriculture in Tucson to apply for and use Tucson Water’s Small Agriculture Water Rate Program. Our goal is to make this pilot program a success and to make it permanently available for all small scale farms in Pima County.
In November 2023, Tucson Mayor and Council approved a one-year Small Urban Farm Water Rate pilot program. This program allows small-scale, food-producing farmers growing and selling their produce within Tucson Water’s service area to reduce the cost of their monthly water use*.
In accordance with community priorities, this pilot program also requires water conservation methods to both increase local food production while incorporating more sustainable water use structures in Pima County. Producers in the Small Urban Farm Water Rate pilot program must include ollas, drip irrigation, water harvesting, or mulching to ensure water is being used efficiently.
Why are water rates important?
This short video from Cris and Don Breckenfeld discusses why a lower water rate is important to them as small-scale farmers in selling at markets and to the local community food bank
Video shot and edited by Tommey Jodie
Are you a small scale farmer in Tucson?
To be eligible for the program, you must:
Be located within Tucson Water’s Service Area
Grow food on three or less acres
Be willing to sell produce to vendors that accept public assistance benefits (like SNAP)
Be willing to use water conservation techniques such as drip irrigation, ollas, rain water harvesting, mulching and/or desert adapted plants
After approval, install a new meter for rates program*
You may be eligible to have a lower water rate for growing food to sell locally!
*Cost changes from the residential rate to the Community Garden Rate for the pilot program. You can see rate difference here. These rates do not include the charge for new meter installation or back flow/pressure reducer which are both required. These costs willy vary based on terrain and size. There is currently some financing available to cover the upfront costs, which are estimated to be $4000-5000. Applications must be submitted and will be reviewed to ensure eligibility. Program requirements include verification of sales outlets, site visits, data collection and evaluation, annual recertification, and installation of a new, separate Tucson Water irrigation meter serving only the cultivated area.
Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements of the program
Download and complete the Tucson Water application and the online PCFA Small Agriculture Water Rate Pilot Program Application
Fill out the two applications.
Email the completed Tucson Water application to info@pimafoodalliance.org. The PCFA Small Agriculture Water Rate Pilot Program Application will automatically be submitted when you complete it.
After emailing the Tucson Water application to info@pimafoodalliance.org and submitting the PCFA Small Agriculture Water Rate Pilot Program online Application, we will review the applications to make sure requirements of the program are met.
If yes, we will schedule a site visit with you to observe the property, conduct an interview, and ensure proper fit for the pilot program. From there, Tucson Water will need to review the application and then schedule a time to install the program specific meter. Applicants are responsible for scheduling time with a plumber to install the required back flow/pressure reducer before the water will be active.
This process can take anywhere between 8-16 weeks.
