The California Water Institute held its Water Exchange Markets Symposium on January 24, 2019. This free public event provided the attendees with a general working knowledge of how such markets work, and how such markets may, or may not, be a good fit for their respective water supply management plans at either the farm level, irrigation district level, groundwater sustainability level, disadvantaged community level, or the environment. The Water Exchange Market Symposium included a series of presentations and panel discussions involving growers, irrigation/water districts, regional water agencies, groundwater sustainability agencies, and other stakeholder groups. They addressed, potential features, benefits, advantages and disadvantages associated with creation of water exchange markets in California in response to SGMA requirements.
Event attendees were able to participate in presentations and panel discussions to provide their input on whether water exchange markets can be implemented successfully, what’s necessary for success, and what is the first step in the implementation process.