Tag archives: Montecito water District

At their monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, Montecito Water District’s Board of Directors will consider entering into a non-binding Letter of Intent concerning the future sale of a portion of the District’s State Water contract interests. The potential purchase by Solstra Communities California LLC (Solstra) would be for the planned Solomon Hills development […]

The Montecito Association Board met on June 9th and received updates on a wide range of community issues, projects, and upcoming events. Traffic Safety Concerns on Olive Mill Road: Residents raised concerns about speeding and recent accidents near the intersection of Olive Mill Road, Olive Mill Lane, and San Benito Way. The County is currently […]

Construction is underway on the first of eight of the Montecito Water District’s existing water storage reservoirs which are slated for seismic retrofit and/or replacement to reduce vulnerability to potential future disasters such as earthquakes. Updates began December 2025 on Terminal Reservoir, originally completed in 1952. Terminal’s needed improvements include extensive reinforcement and replacement of […]

Fire protection is a top priority for Montecito Water District (MWD) as part of its commitment to supplying water to meet this community’s needs every day. MWD remains ready and prepared to provide water for fighting fires across Montecito and Summerland and is focused on ongoing projects to improve resilience.  – Water Supply is Abundant […]

The Montecito Water District has finally received long-delayed federal disaster funds for storm damage repairs, thanks to assistance from Assemblymember Gregg Hart. The reimbursement closes a difficult two-year chapter that began when the January 9, 2023, federally declared storm devastated the area’s critical water infrastructure. Heavy rains and debris flows in the backcountry severed the […]

Set to begin this fall is the first in a series of reservoir retrofits to address seismic resilience. This important project has been years in the making and will benefit from exclusive federal grant funding that provides 30% principal forgiveness and zero interest loans. The Montecito Water District (MWD) is excited about this opportunity to […]

Groundwater is an important water source for many local property owners and all Montecito Water District customers. Wells are relied upon for local residential, commercial, and agricultural use, particularly during periods of drought. It’s the job of the Montecito Groundwater Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (Montecito GSA) to ensure that groundwater remains a viable water source […]

Thank you for writing this brilliant piece, Robert Bernstein. It speaks to something in the current zeitgeist (malaise?) of our times.  It’s not merely limited to printer software. Best word I’ve never heard of, before seeing it in your piece.  It made my day, and I’m still laughing at how it can apply to almost […]

The District treats and tests water to make sure that it is lead-free when it leaves the treatment facility to travel through water mains. All pipelines that carry water play an important role in the quality of the water that arrives at the tap. A comprehensive survey of the District’s pipes completed in 2018 detected […]

Here on the central coast, November is traditionally an ideal time to plant native and drought resilient plants. Cooler temperatures, short, bright days, and a possibility of rain create the right conditions for new plantings to spread their roots through winter and be poised for growth come spring. A cozy blanket of mulch may also […]

Did you know that water has its own calendar? The current Water Year comes to a close on September 30, and Water Year 2025 will begin. While there is no crystal ball to indicate what it will bring, this is a timely opportunity to share highlights from Montecito Water District’s quarterly water supply update which […]

Ten years ago, Montecito was in a water crisis – we were literally about to run out of water. Forced to take action, the Water District rationed water supply to customers, imposed extreme penalties of $45 per 100 acre-feet for overuse, threatened flow restrictors and severe fines, and totally relied on purchasing supplemental supplies of […]

Reservoirs are full, hillsides are green, and gardens are glorious all around town. So why are we still talking about water use efficiency? Well, if history is any predictor, we know the next drought is coming. What we don’t know is when, or for how long. But the District plans to be ready and has […]

Providing high quality water is a vital part of Montecito Water District’s responsibility and commitment to customer service. Water delivered throughout the District is continuously treated and tested to ensure that it meets or exceeds federal and state water quality standards in compliance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, […]

The Montecito Association held its monthly Board meeting March 12th in person at the Montecito Library and via zoom.  Community Reports began with Police Chief Lt. Ugo Peter “Butch” Arnoldi on the resolution of investigations and reported crime in the area. Montecito Fire Chief David Neels reported on the last storm, stating the area did […]

Extraordinary inflation and opportunities to improve resiliency were key discussion points in Montecito Water District’s Special Board Meeting this week. Directors reviewed a preliminary analysis with Raftelis Financial Consultants in anticipation of adjusting water rates for customers later this year. Rates are revisited every three to five years, and are required to be based on […]

Mike Clark has retired from the Montecito Water District, passing the baton to a new Water Conservation Specialist, Steven Cognac. Clark’s remarkable passion for drought-resilient gardening and water conservation inspired 18 years of service through some of the driest periods on record. Known community-wide for providing sincere and direct assistance to customers, Clark was named […]

A farm is a lovely thing – a pastoral slice of heaven that restores the soul, reconnects the bewildered human to unbridled nature, and just incidentally pushes food out of the dirt. It is the darndest thing. “You see a lot of lettuce. We’ve got broccoli, cauliflower, kale…” Our gesturing tour guide today is the […]

Lake Cachuma may have spilled over for first time in 12 years due to the winter storms (which is great news), however officials have warned that the drought is far from over. The Montecito Groundwater Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) is here to help make sure our town stays on track with water usage and […]