What does "runs big" mean?

What does the saying, "Water runs towards money" mean?

• Water no longer runs downhill...it runs towards money. What does that mean? Could I have an example please?

• Answer:

  Those that have the money control the water. Think LADWP buying up property in the Owens valley, then diverting the water found on that land to Los Angeles. In large parts of the Southwest a "first in time is first in right" rule is effect, meaning if you had the money to buy up all the land early ( the land and water rights), you get senior water privileges- others who come later get lessor rights to the water (or no rights to it). You have to apply for a permit to use the water collected from your own roof, because under this doctrine, you would be depriving the others in the area from that water that if uncollected, would have filled a stream they use ( or well they use).