From farmers irrigating their crops to families washing their dishes — everyone pumping directly from the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin may soon need to pay for their water. The Paso Basin Cooperative Committee got a first look at potential water rates for groundwater users at its meeting on Wednesday. If approved, these fees will be the first time ever that farmers are directly charged to pump water from the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin. The Cuyama Valley Basin is the only other basin in the county where farmers are charged directly for groundwater, according to county groundwater sustainability director Blaine Reely.

Other agriculture and groundwater articles:

• Bay Area News Group: California farms fail as land values plunge amid groundwater crisis
• Visalia Times Delta: Water, fire, health among Tulare County’s top advocacy issues