Despite a dry winter and growing concern regarding statewide drought conditions, the City’s water supply outlook is positive as a result of its diverse water supplies. Santa Barbara’s water sources include: Lake Cachuma, Gibraltar Reservoir, ocean desalination, groundwater, imported water through the State Water Project, and recycled water. Additionally, water conservation continues to play an important role in stretching supplies during dry periods; the community’s water use currently averages 25% less than 2013, before the last major drought.
Suctoria microorganisms are one of the peak protozoan predators found in wastewater treatment plants. When spotted under the microscope, they are a delight to the laboratory staff at the El Estero Water Resource Center because presence of suctoria often indicates excellent wastewater treatment conditions. 
August 16 is National Backflow Prevention Day. Water distribution systems are designed to deliver water safely from the treatment plant to the customer. Unless protected with a backflow prevention assembly, unintentional water contamination or “cross-connection” may occur if you have multiple uses on your property such as irrigation, fire lines, or a pool.
George Hopwood and Joseph Navarro were recognized as the Santa Barbara winner for the countywide WaterWise Garden Recognition Contest for their beautiful garden featuring a variety of native and water wise plants, a dry creek bed that directs rain water from their downspout into the garden, and efficient drip irrigation. Their favorite aspect of the transformation has been watching the landscape mature over time, as well as no longer having to use a push mower to cut the former lawn.
The Flume device gives you down to the minute, easy to read water use data to help you track water use and catch leaks via a smartphone app and device that easily straps on to the City’s water meter. City of Santa Barbara Water customers pay just $75 (regularly $199). 
Video Corner
Native Plants Webinar Recording
Gibraltar Hydroelectric Plant
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