The San Diego County Water Authority has inked its first deal to sell excess water to other communities in Southern California, a landmark overhaul of the water authority’s business model that’s long been promised by top officials. The water authority’s new agreement to sell water to the Western Municipal Water District in Riverside County will bring in $100 million in new revenue for the San Diego region’s financially strapped water system over the next five years. That influx of cash could temper future rate hikes for many county residents. But it’s too early to say what impact the deal might have. The water authority’s Board of Directors unanimously backed the agreement with Western on Thursday.

Other San Diego water sale news:

• Times of San Diego: Water authority announces long-term sale of surplus to Riverside County
• The Coast News Group (Encenitas, Calif.): County water agency secures long-term supply deal with Riverside district
• Voice of San Diego: Riverside water sale is done; deal with feds doesn’t actually exist