This paper examines the potential effects of water trading on the service sector of a rural economy. The economy earns income producing an irrigated agricultural product and a non-agricultural (service) good, and possibly by selling water. Among other things, we show when none of the water income leaves the region (no income flight), water trading enhances regional welfare. We then show if income flight is "large enough", water trading has the opposite effect. Albeit, even under income flight, if the income flight problem is not too serious, water trading will enhance regional welfare.