Local water district launching new pilot program
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — For years, water has been a hot topic of debate for many throughout Kern County and the Central Valley.
Farmers, in particular, have been engaged in a battle over their water usage for seemingly forever.
That's one reason why one local water district is trying a new approach.
"A water market, in essence, that allowed users or landowners within our district to manage the resource more effectively,” Eric Averett, of the Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District, said.
The newly formed water market would create a place where farmers in the Rosedale district can buy and sell water based on their needs.
So if one farmer has too much for his crops in a certain year, he'd be able to sell it on the market to another who might not have enough.
Besides the economic boost, Averett says the plan also has potential for conservation benefits too.
"It just makes the use of water perhaps more efficient by allowing it to move to the highest and best possible use,” he said.
Despite the fact that the program is still in its pilot stages, Averett says he's optimistic about its future.
But the decision, he says, will ultimately come down to the farmers.
"There's a high level of interest or a high degree of interest. So I think that the success is really going to be based upon do they find value."
