Tag archives: water

No Lead is Good News: Customer Pipe Inventory Complete
By Laura Camp   |   November 12, 2024

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 […]

Fall Is Gardening Season
By Laura Camp   |   October 15, 2024

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 […]

Terrible Bore: The Hellish Adventure of the Tecolote Tunnel
By Jeff Wing   |   October 15, 2024

This political season is sufficiently fraught that your fraidy-cat columnist is going to steer well clear of the melee and write about something we can all agree on. I’m talking of course about the inarguable virtues of Communism. Ha Ha Ha. Kidding.  As has been lightly touched upon in endless cocktail party conversations (and more […]

Water Year 2025 and Beyond
By Laura Camp   |   September 24, 2024

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 […]

Montecito Water Progress Report
By Tobe Plough and Floyd Wicks   |   July 2, 2024

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 […]

Cash In on Rebates from MWD and Montecito GSA
By Laura Camp   |   May 21, 2024

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 […]

Customer Health is Top Priority for Montecito Water District’s Lead Pipe Inventory
By Laura Camp   |   April 9, 2024

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, […]

Montecito Water District Rate Evaluation Underway
By Laura Camp   |   March 12, 2024

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 […]

Stratus Produces Water from Nothing. Questions?
By Jeff Wing   |   February 6, 2024

James Margolles is a tall guy. When he stands next to his company’s groundbreaking “water cooler” and companionably places his hand atop it, there is a sudden but fleeting C3PO/R2-D2 vibe. But Margolles is not a droid (to say the least); he is an entrepreneur. Like many a brilliant and initially understated startup in the […]

Montecito Association Meets
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   September 19, 2023

At this month’s Montecito Association Board of Directors meeting, President Megan Orloff announced the Association’s new Executive Director: Houghton Hyatt, who served on the MA Board of Directors for six years, and has helped with countless community events. We’ll have more with Hyatt and her ideas for the MA in a future edition.  During Community […]

MWD’s Water Conservation Specialist Retires 
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   August 8, 2023

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 […]

Ophora Puts the Nature Back into Water
By Zach Rosen   |   November 15, 2022

Oxygen and water. These two components make up the essence of life and as far as we know, are the two necessities for being and staying alive. Of course, as air and water pollution continue to escalate throughout the world, finding clean sources of either is an endless pursuit for those hoping to lead a […]

Community Leaders Speak on the Prospect of a Sustainable Montecito
By Asher Radziner   |   October 19, 2022

Entering the Santa Barbara Club this summer, I met with the newly elected Montecito Association member, Stan Roden – a former Santa Barbara County District Attorney now working as a climate ambassador and filmmaker. Having heard of his interest in guiding the community towards more sustainable and resilient practices, especially amidst the ever-growing environment turmoil, […]

An Open Letter to the Santa Barbara Community
By Montecito Journal   |   October 18, 2022

We knew Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree as the “Philanthropist of Santa Barbara.” As we lay her to rest, her presence in our city will continue as we pass by the many buildings and plaques that carry her name: The Ridley-Tree Cancer Center at Sansum Clinic; the Ridley-Tree Education Center at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art; […]

Is There an Ocean Miracle in California’s Future?
By Bob Hazard   |   October 18, 2022

Coming off another summer of soaring dry heat, California water agencies can no longer rely on snowpack in the High Sierras, delivered through an aging and over-extended State Water System, nor can they rely on an over-drafted Colorado River. So, what’s left beside the pitiful plea of “Pray for more rain”? The Pacific Ocean Reservoir […]

Water Warnings for 2023
By Bob Hazard   |   October 11, 2022

What is the current outlook for California water in 2023? Researchers tell us that our state is experiencing “the driest 22-year period in the last 1,200 years.” They warn: “Likely El Niño conditions are predicted to continue into 2023; prepare now for another dry year.” Locally, the Montecito Water District’s (MWD) position remains strong, principally […]

Montecito GSA Meeting
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   October 11, 2022

The Montecito Groundwater Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (Montecito GSA or Agency) will meet for its quarterly Board Meeting on Tuesday, October 11 at 9:30 am. Topics of discussion will include projects and actions which may be included in the Groundwater Sustainability Plan now and in the future. The meeting will be held in person at […]

Un-Boxing My Life
By Montecito Journal   |   October 11, 2022

Most people want to compartmentalize everything. For example, I am a Democratic, Republican, Independent, or even a Green Party person. More examples would be I am a liberal or a conservative. I saw an interview with the actor Woody Harrelson. A good ole Texas boy. He described himself as a Redneck hippie. After careful consideration […]

Water Use Warning
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   October 4, 2022

In an effort to get an urgent and important message to the Montecito community, Montecito Water District (MWD) installed a road sign last week at the triangle on Olive Mill Road and Hot Springs with the rotating message: “Extreme Drought, Reduce Irrigation.” The goal is to get customers’ attention so that they will reduce water […]

Montecito Residents Win WaterWise Garden Recognition 
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   October 4, 2022

Water-efficient residential gardens are beautiful, and earlier this month, Montecito residents John and Teri Keating were awarded the grand prize winner for their native garden. The 2022 WaterWise Garden Recognition Contest launched this spring to recognize beautiful, water-efficient residential gardens throughout Santa Barbara County. The Santa Barbara County Water Agency and participating local water providers […]