Water Transfers
Few transactions are more complex or urgent than water transfers. These highly technical transfers are becoming more common and necessary as California is forced to resolve water shortages and ensure reliable water supplies for its massive population and critical ecosystems.
PKW Law’s multi-pronged approach is rooted in our team’s deep understanding of the rules and restrictions of water rights, regulatory mechanisms, local conveyance systems, and real property transactions. We often undertake sophisticated negotiation and leverage our longstanding relationships with technical experts who can help steer the process. Our goal is to reach a solution that maximizes beneficial uses and protects the rights of our client, in an efficient manner.
Our experience includes:
Negotiating water transfers between public and private water right holders
Developing agreements to facilitate transfers, including wheeling, and transfer and finance agreements in support of a water transfer
Counseling joint power authorities on a multi-year water transfer
Petitioning and obtaining State Water Resources Control Board approval for temporary and long-term water transfers
Counseling public agencies on a potential transfer to a large municipal and industrial water user outside of the basin