The water that flows down irrigation canals to some of the West’s biggest expanses of farmland comes courtesy of the federal government for a very low price — even, in some cases, for free. In a new study, researchers analyzed wholesale prices charged by the federal government in California, Arizona and Nevada, and found that large agricultural water agencies pay only a fraction of what cities pay, if anything at all. … Farmers in California’s Imperial Valley receive the largest share of Colorado River water. … Tina Shields, IID’s water department manager, said the district opposes any surcharge on water. Comparing agricultural and urban water costs, as the researchers did, she said, “is like comparing a grape to a watermelon.” 

Other water price news:

• Arizona Daily Star (Tucson): Cheap Colorado River water prices discourage conservation, report says
• Arizona Capitol Times (Phoenix): Arizona’s small utility companies are decades behind on rate increases