Property Tax Information
A shared investment in regional water reliability.
San Bernardino Valley collects $0.11 for every $100 of assessed property value to pay our share of State Water Project costs.
San Bernardino Valley helps secure a reliable water supply for the region by providing supplemental water from Northern California through the State Water Project. This water supports local retail agencies, helping supplement surface water and groundwater supplies for homes and businesses throughout the region.
About San Bernardino Valley
San Bernardino Valley is a special district, a type of local government created to provide a specific public service. The Agency was formed by the local voters in 1954 in order to ensure the region would have a reliable water supply, even during droughts and poor water quality conditions. To protect and sustain local water resources for future generations, the Agency employs a variety of tools and strategies, including importing supplemental water through the California State Water Project, managing regional groundwater basins, and supporting proactive groundwater replenishment efforts.
Unlike local water retailers, San Bernardino Valley does not deliver water directly to homes or businesses. San Bernardino Valley operates as a wholesale water agency and State Water Contractor, working directly with the California Department of Water Resources. The Agency’s role is to secure, develop, and manage long-term water supplies that are sustainable and reliable for the region—both today and for future generations.
SBVMWD Tax Rate
San Bernardino Valley is partially funded by a voter-approved property tax to pay for a long-term supplemental water supply from Northern California. This additional source of water begins at Lake Oroville and is delivered over 400 miles south via the State Water Project, known as the California Aqueduct.
As a wholesale water supplier and State Water Contractor, San Bernardino Valley provides supplemental water, when it is available and requested, to local water retailers within the service area. These water retailers then use the water to supplement local sources, such as surface water and groundwater, helping supply homes and businesses throughout the region.
San Bernardino Valley collects $0.11 for every $100 of assessed property value to pay for the Agency’s share of State Water Project costs. On property tax statements, this appears as San Bernardino Valley Muni Water Dist. These property tax funds are placed in a restricted account and can only be used for expenses related to the State Water Project supplemental supply.
For more information on the history and benefits of the SWP please visit the California Department of Water Resources.