Santa Barbara County Public Works Department

Water Supply Overview
The County's residents obtain their potable water from several sources: groundwater withdrawal, storm runoff collected in reservoir systems, the State Water Project, recycled water and desalination. The County's potable water supply is delivered to the public through a variety of water purveyors: incorporated cities, community service districts, water districts, private water companies, conservation districts and others.

Groundwater is a primary source of potable water for many County residents. Since groundwater level fluctuations are cyclical and sensitive to overdraft, groundwater withdrawal is closely monitored. Most of the water used in the North County comes from groundwater supplies with the recent addition of State Water as well. Some river water is used in the communities of Santa Ynez, Ballard and Los Olivos.

There are four major reservoirs located in the County of Santa Barbara. Two reservoirs, Cachuma and Twitchell, are owned by the federal government, administered by the Water Resources Division, and operated by local water purveyors. Gibraltar Reservoir is owned and operated by the City of Santa Barbara. Jameson Reservoir is owned and operated by the Montecito Water District. Water is delivered to the South Coast through three tunnels through the Santa Ynez Mountains.

In 1996, water purveyors in the County began to receive water through the State Water Project. Water is delivered to Santa Barbara County from the Lake Oroville Reservoir located in Plumas County through a series of aqueducts and reservoirs. Since State Water is used primarily as a supplemental supply, the amount received by water purveyors in the County will vary each year.

An additional source of potable water available to the City of Santa Barbara is desalinated water from the ocean. Though currently de-commissioned due to ample quantities of the less expensive supplies listed above, the desal facility can be brought into operation during drought or water shortage conditions. Because of the high energy consumption associated with desalting seawater, water produced by desalination is more costly than most of the other water supplies available.

In addition to potable water supplies, several water purveyors in the county also use non-potable recycled wastewater to irrigate parks, schools, golf courses and other large landscaped areas. The City of Santa Barbara even uses recycled water for toilet flushing in its beach-front restrooms.

In order to wisely and efficiently use all available water supplies, the Santa Barbara County Water Agency, as well as a number of local water purveyors, operate water demand management programs. These programs, referred to as water conservation or water use efficiency, are directed at helping water users minimize unnecessary use of water during times of plentiful supply and help stretch limited water resources during water shortages (view these programs by clicking here).

Last updated: October 25, 2007