Ortega Water Quality Project Moves Forward 

Ortega Reservoir was built in the 1950s as an uncovered water reservoir that now must be covered to meet modern drinking water quality standards. The cost for the project to cover the reservoir is being shared with Carpinteria Valley Water District, and will be implemented over the next several years.

5-Year Hydrant Upgrade Program Underway

Additional fire-fighting capability is planned. Ongoing improvements include new pumps and pipes, and the District’s joint five year program with Montecito Fire Protection District to replace 250 older fire hydrants with high capacity hydrants.

Doulton Treatment Plant Upgrades and Emergency Storage 
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Upgrades are being considered for the District’s Doulton Treatment Plant, including expanding the treatment capacity, and adding one to three million gallons of emergency storage in a buried reservoir. 

Montecito receives 40% of its water from Jameson Lake, our lowest cost, highest quality source of water. Jameson water is treated primarily at the Bella Vista Plant, with a smaller amount at the District’s Doulton Plant.

The expansion of the Doulton Plant would make it possible to serve up to 70% of District needs with treated water in an emergency or outage that causes the disruption of water supplies from the Bella Vista Plant or Lake Cachuma.