“Nearly half of Montecito’s pipelines were installed in the 1920s and are reaching the end of their useful life.”

Tom Mosby,
District Engineer

GIS: New High Tech Tool Improves Reliability and Lowers Costs 
Montecito Water District is developing the first phase of its Geographic Information System (GIS) to improve water system planning, design and maintenance. GIS creates digital maps that will accurately represent the location of roads, buildings, and pipeline condition, age, and material.

Helps Improve Design, Monitoring and Upgrade of Systems
A software program will use data from the GIS to help track the age and condition of pipes as well as conduct “virtual” tests of equipment. The data obtained from the GIS allows the District to fine tune pressure regulating and pump station operation, and provides other valuable data to allow us to do a better job.

SCADA Computer Monitoring

GIS follows our introduction of a modern SCADA computer monitoring system that makes it possible to remotely monitor and operate key facilities. Together, SCADA and GIS give us two high tech tools that help us to provide more reliable, lower-cost water service, and better water quality information.

Water System Improvement Program Funded By 1998 Bond

The water system improvement program replaces undersized and aging facilities, many dating back to the 1920s, including pipelines, pump stations and other facilities. It is funded by a $14 million bond secured in 1998.

Even after five years of intensively replacing aging facilities, nearly forty percent of the District's sidelines are over 70 years old, so there is much more work that remains to be done. Also, increasingly strict water quality requirements will require costly treatment upgrades in coming years and increased storage facilities may be needed to meet daily and emergency water needs.

The District is conducting an ongoing evaluation of facility and funding needs and will keep customers informed.