10/17/2026
WHY DOES SKAGIT PUD CHARGE FARMERS FOR UNTREATED WATER?
It’s a fair question. If the PUD isn’t treating or pumping water to farms, why should farmers have to pay for it?
Because untreated water doesn’t necessarily mean cost-free water.
I’m committed to helping Skagit farmers get the water they need. In fact, during my time on the commission, we’ve made more PUD water available for agricultural irrigation than ever before.
But making water rights available involves real costs and responsibilities—even when that water never enters our treatment plant.
That’s why I believe in FULL ATTRIBUTABLE PROGRAM COSTS.
It’s a straightforward principle: Identify the actual costs and financial risks associated with providing the irrigation program, and account for them fairly.
That includes:
* Technical review: Applications, engineering, and water-right analysis.
* Legal and regulatory: Approvals, agreements, and compliance.
* Administration: Metering, monitoring, reporting, and oversight.
* Infrastructure: Equipment and facilities actually attributable to the program.
* Financial risk: Reasonable contingencies and documented financial exposure.
* Water availability: Any additional charge must be separately justified.
Farmers shouldn’t pay for services they don’t receive. And residential ratepayers shouldn’t automatically be expected to absorb costs and risks created by the irrigation program.
This isn’t about making water more expensive for farmers. It’s about establishing a transparent, defensible, and fair pricing structure that allows us to expand agricultural access responsibly.
As both a farmer and a PUD commissioner, I understand the importance of affordable irrigation water. I also understand that the PUD has a responsibility to every ratepayer.
Supporting agriculture and protecting ratepayers aren’t competing priorities. Good financial judgment allows us to do both.
I believe in helping farmers get water. I also believe in knowing what that costs, who pays for it, and who carries the risk.
That’s the responsibility of an independent PUD commissioner.
Experience Matters.
Re-elect Andrew Miller
Skagit PUD Commissioner • District 1
Safe. Reliable. Affordable.