[quote=temeculaguy]It’s probably the water, there is nothing screwier than water law. I took an entire class in college on riparian water rights and while i never quite understood it, it’s completely unique from other utilities. Some areas have very high water rates, sometimes multiples of other places nearby. Sometimes it’s about being at the end of the line so to speak, or far from a supply that they do not own. Intermediate water districts that buy their water also sell it to the next town and the proceeds lower their town’s bill because of the laws that regulate profit, but the guy at the end gets screwed. His district isn’t profitting more, they just pay more because they are subsidizing everyone along the way from the source, as the water becomes more scarce, his price will rise even higher in comparison. If he had enough trees to become an actual farm, their rates are entirely different, in some districts, ag users can pay a fraction of residential rates. With gas and electric, there aren’t as severe of swings in rates. Places that are elevated and far from water get to pay all the middle men and then the delivery charge. Electric price per kw is fairly stable from town to town as is gas or propane but water can have much more variance by area.
This is why in places with insane water rates, many people have wells. Unfortunately, from parcel to parcel, the ability to have a well can also vary and it is used as a selling point if it has a good well, if it doesn’t, it is worth far less.
If I remember right you need to have 5 acres to be considered ag and pay ag water rates. Otherwise he is watering those trees with city water, and you can imagine how expensive that gets. But you are right TG, water law is one of the most bizare and contradicting things you will ever try to study. I took a similar class in college, crazy stuff.
I use to live on a small avacado orchard when I was really little. It was fun to have all the trees and stuff to play with and all. Though my dad didnt make much money from selling the produce. He said he always got invites to good parties though, all the guac you could eat.
