Water Rate Update

TID, your community-owned utility, has worked hard to provide some of the lowest irrigation rates in our region and throughout the state. As a result, TID irrigation customers have not experienced a rate increase since 2015. Given the increased costs to provide reliable irrigation water, increased maintenance of aging infrastructure, and the increased customer demands on our system, it is necessary for TID to propose a rate increase.

Key factors affecting rates:

Included in rate evaluation are factors that impact our ability to maintain our current level of reliability, carry out needed capital improvement projects to update aging infrastructure, add new infrastructure to accommodate changing hydrology and water supply availability.

Reliability

TID customers benefit from the District owning and operating a widespread irrigation system. Improvements that fortify and modify our existing infrastructure are required to preserve the integrity of our system, maintain our strong record of reliability, and improve water efficiency.

• Future regulating reservoirs, like the ones constructed on Lateral 8 and the Ceres Main Canal, will improve efficiency throughout our irrigation system, reducing spills to the river at the end of the system.
  
• Maintenance of, and improvements to, existing irrigation facilities is required to ensure current investments continue to operate efficiently.

Infrastructure

TID serves 150,000 acres of irrigated land across a 307 square-mile service area. Some of TID’s more than 250 miles of gravity-fed canals are nearly 130 years old, and significant improvements and maintenance is needed on this aging infrastructure.

• Upper Main Canal Rehabilitation will improve flow capacity at, and improve the reliability of, the Upper Main Canal, which serves as the main artery of the TID irrigation system.
• Drops throughout the irrigation system need to be rebuilt to ensure they can safely and reliably continue to serve our customers.

Proposed Rate Increases Over the Next Three Years

TID is proposing a 6.2% increase over the next three years, beginning in 2025, with roughly a 2% increase each year. There are also proposed changes to the structure of TID’s Irrigation Rates, as seen in the table below. Tiers 1 – 3 will be consolidated into a single rate; Tier 4 will remain at it’s current price of $20 per acre-foot. The Fixed Charge in both Normal and Dry Year types will also remain the same under the proposed rates.

Customer Resources

• 2024 Water Cost of Service and Rate Study
• Irrigation Water Rate Workshop Presentation
• Grower Meeting Presentation

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the last time TID increased irrigation rates?

TID irrigation customers have not experienced a rate increase since 2015.

How can I learn more about potential irrigation rate updates?

The TID Board of Directors is hosting a Public Workshop on November 5, 2024 at 9 a.m. Customers can attend the meeting in-person at 333 E. Canal Drive, Turlock or watch online at www.TID.org/BoardMeetings.

Where can I see the current irrigation rates?

The Normal and Dry Year Irrigation Rate Schedules are available at www.tid.org/irrigation/irrigation-rates.

Are there different irrigation rates?

The current Irrigation Rate Schedule includes a schedule for both normal and dry years. Each schedule includes a fixed charge per acre plus water charges. Prior to each irrigation season, the Board will analyze several variables and determine whether to use the normal year or dry year rates.