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 monthly water use costs by nearly 70%*.
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.
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 of $13.10/ccf to $2.67/ccf for the pilot program, but this does not include the charge for new meter installation. Meter installation cost varies based on terrain and size, but some financial aid may be available. 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.
Ready to apply?
Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements of the program
Fill out the application
Email completed application to info@pimafoodalliance.org
After emailing the application to info@pimafoodalliance.org, we will review the application to make sure it meets the requirements of the program.
If yes, we will schedule a site visit with you to observe the property, conduct an interview, and make sure all requirements are met. From there, Tucson Water will need to review the application and then schedule a time to install the program specific meter.
This process can take anywhere between 4-10 weeks.
