The Southern California Trend Toward Reduced Reliance on the Delta - Price Matters - (Swithchboard | NRDC) Our analysis revealed that imported water from MWD now costs LADWP $912 per acre-foot, when all related costs are included. This is more expensive than some conservation, recycled water and stormwater projects. That's nearly as expensive as the low end of desalted groundwater in the Chino basin