[fmajid]

Usually that is a sign of subsidized water below cost, which disincentivizes the more efficient irrigation methods you highlight, at least that's what happens in California with is baroque system of senior and junior water rights and its "use it or lose it" mentality.

[madaxe_again]

Yup, it’s just an annual fixed fee to have a borehole - which most folks don’t even pay as enforcement is nonexistent.