In a recent KQED broadcast titled “Why is water so expensive in California?,” Alexis Madrigal summarized the commentary provided by Max Gomberg, senior policy advisor to the State Water Resources Control Board, by implying the state must choose between irrigating almond orchards and servicing 10 million people if we are going to control increasing urban water costs.
But is this really the case? Are high urban water rates in California really a result of limited supply?
It turns out, not really.

SGMA’s New Subsidence Guidance: A Higher Bar, Real-World Impacts Stricter triggers and heavier monitoring expectations may speed up local decisions. For farms, canals, and rural towns, that can raise near-term pressure and highlight the practical tools needed to adapt. It’s late July in the Valley. A third-generation grower walks a block that should be full canopy and watches the forecast climb toward triple digits. The local water district is warning their ability to make the requested surface deliveries could shift. The well is already running harder than the budget

CFWC Releases 2025 Impact Report: A Year of Advocacy, Outreach, and Partnership The California Farm Water Coalition has released its 2025 Impact Report, offering a comprehensive look at how the Coalition continues to serve as the trusted, fact-based voice for California agriculture—a mission it has carried out since its founding in 1989. The report chronicles a year of strong advocacy, effective partnerships, and innovative public outreach that elevated the farm water story with policymakers, media, and consumers across the state

The California Farm Water Coalition (CFWC) is honored to announce that longtime Executive Director Mike Wade has received the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his decades of dedicated leadership and his lasting impact on California agriculture and water stewardship.

Michelle Paul Selected as New CFWC Executive Director The California Farm Water Coalition is pleased to announce the selection of Michelle Paul as its next executive director. Ms. Paul will replace Mike Wade, who is retiring in February from his role as the Coalition’s executive director, a position he has held since 1998. Ms. Paul was selected following a comprehensive statewide search led by the Coalition’s executive director selection committee, which considered a strong and diverse field of candidates from

On July 24, 2025, the State Water Resources Control Board released an updated Bay-Delta Water Plan, a critical framework designed to protect the ecological health of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta while addressing California’s diverse water demands.