The county’s Water Agency will be studying the options for Santa Barbara’s future water supply, and it invites the public to participate. Identified options include recycled water, desalination, reservoir desilting or modification, more surface water storage, groundwater recharge, non-local supplies, State Water Project options, and water transfers in terms of feasibility, reliability, and cost.
The inital public meeting dates are Monday, September 29, 6-7 p.m., Santa Maria Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 511 East Lakeside Parkway and Tuesday, September 30, 6-7 p.m. at Santa Barbara’s Planning Commission Hearing Room, 123 East Anapamu Street. The study is expected to take about a year, and the county has contracted with RMC Water and Environment to conduct the study and help form a citizen “planning partners” group.