Ranchos acquires water rights to increase future supply reliability

US-based Apple Valley Ranchos Water has acquired 280 acre-feet of water rights for $1.3m in order to increase the reliability of future water supply for its customers.

One acre-foot of water, about 326,000 gallons, is capable of supplying two households of three to four people each for an entire year.

The company currently supplies Apple Valley with more than 12,000 acre-feet of water annually.

Ranchos Water vice-president and general manager Scott Weldy said: "Our responsibility is to assure that we are able to provide our customers with a safe and reliable water supply and service.

"Whether it is for a person who wants a drink of water from their faucet or for a crisis such as responding to a fire people count on us. We are committed to providing this essential service each and every day."

With this acquisition, the company has more than 13,600 acre-feet of water rights. However, due to limitations established under the Mojave Basin Adjudication, which is designed to prevent over-pumping, Ranchos can only pump 60% of these water rights, about 8,000 acre-feet per year.

As a result, Ranchos Water is required to lease amounts pumped in excess of that from other owners of water rights.

"The people who live in Apple Valley are mindful of desert living and limited water resources," said Weldy.

"They do a great job of conserving water because of this. The bottom line is that the majority of our customers embrace a sustainable approach to water consumption."

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