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Green Gardener Class Series
Interested in sustainable landscaping? New Green Gardener classes start this month! English class: 15 Wednesdays, Aug 24 to Dec 7, 4:30-6:45pm. Spanish class: 15 Mondays, Aug 22 to Dec 5, 4:30-6:45. Click here to enroll in this FREE class!
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Hands-on Drip Irrigation Workshop
Join us Sunday, Oct. 2nd at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden to learn how to install, improve and maintain an efficient drip irrigation system. To learn more and register in advance
click here.
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Upcoming Water Wise Classes, Workshops, and Walking Tours
The City and Sweetwater Collaborative have partnered to offer classes, hands-on workshops and walking tours focused on graywater, rainwater harvesting and lawn removal. To check for events this fall
click here.
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Washing Machine Rebate
Up to $150 rebate when you replace an existing high water using washer with a high efficiency washer. For more information
click here.
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Is Your Toilet Running?
Undetected toilet leaks can waste up to 200 gallons per day. It's easy to check for leaks and repair them. Watch our video below and visit our website for information on keeping your toilet leak-free
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Report Water Waste
Water runoff, leaks, or other violations of the Stage 3 Drought Water Use Regulations can be reported by clicking here or calling 564-5460. Please send a picture of the water waste if you are able to.
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How to Stay Informed on the Drought
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| Lake Cachuma |
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Since May 2014, Water Resources staff have presented monthly "Drought Updates" to City Council and Water Commission to discuss water supplies, drought response, and community conservation. This fall, the Drought Updates will revisit additional drought regulations for increased water conservation that could go into effect as early as November 2016. We encourage everyone to stay informed and attend or view the upcoming Drought Update meetings. Past City Council and Water Commission meetings can be viewed online by clicking here and live meetings can be viewed on City TV channel 18. Click here to read more.
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Water Main Flushing
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| Click to watch video |
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The City is implementing a new water saving technology to help clean the water distribution system. Standard practice for cleaning a water system involves operation of fire hydrants to flush the system, discharging water to storm drains. As a result of the drought, for the past few years the City has suspended this annual flushing effort to conserve water. This new method utilizes a mobile
filtration unit to safely remove, clean and return the water back to the distribution system, thereby eliminating water loss and supporting ongoing water quality efforts. If you are experiencing cloudy or discolored water for more than a few (typically less than five) minutes, please call 564-5413. For more information
click here.
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Desalination Project Update
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The Charles E. Meyer Desalination Facility is anticipated to supply water in January 2017 and will produce nearly 3 million gallons of water per day. This is equivalent to 3,125 acre-feet of water annually or about 30% of the City's demand. The desalination facility is an important part of the City's water supply portfolio which also includes surface water from Cachuma and Gibraltar reservoirs, groundwater, State water, purchased water, recycled water, and conservation. When the desalination facility comes online, extraordinary water conservation from the community will remain critical to meeting water demands.
The facility was originally anticipated to supply water to the distribution system starting in October 2016 but has encountered delays due to contaminated soils on site and replacement of electrical transmission pieces from the old (1990s) facility. For more information on the desal facility click here.
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Learn About the City's Recycled Water System
Every gallon of recycled water saves a gallon of potable water that can be used in homes and businesses. Recycled water serves an important role in the diversity of the City's water supplies and is used at over 50 sites throughout the City. The annual demand for recycled water is currently 800 acre feet - approximately 700,000 gallons per day. Recycled water is used mainly for irrigation of landscaping at parks, schools, the zoo, golf courses, and some homeowners associations. Additionally, recycled water is also used at some sites for toilet flushing, dust control, and sidewalk cleaning. For information
click here.
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Watch the New Garden Wise TV Episode!
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| Click to watch video |
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A new episode of Garden Wise TV is now available to watch
"Mulch it, Plant it, Grow it: How to Create a Water Wise Landscape." Get design ideas from local landscape architect and educator Billy Goodnick, learn about sheet mulching from the Youth Drought Project, explore what it takes to build and maintain vibrant soil from the Center for Regenerative Agriculture, and learn how to put the right plant in the right place from Oscar Carmona, the Green Gardener Program instructor. For more Garden Wise TV episodes,
click here.
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Thank You For Saving, Santa Barbara!
Our community is doing a great job conserving water and is encouraged to keep up the good work. Citywide water savings in July 2016 were 38%, and cumulative average water savings since the Stage Three Drought declaration are 36%. Santa Barbara has been recognized as a statewide leader in water conservation during California's historic drought. Let's keep saving together, Santa Barbara! To learn more about community water savings during the drought, please
click here.
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