In the event of a power blackout or other emergency, the District will use its three backup power generators — enough to operate both treatment plants and one pump station. Montecito Water’s engineers recently received bids to purchase two more generators, which would be used to provide additional backup power. This enables the District to maintain reasonably reliable making it possible to improve water service during emergencies.

Reservoirs Help The emergency generators, along with water from District reservoirs is designed to provide aobut 50% of the typical water demand in the event of an emergency or power blackout, The District also maintains nine reservoirs that hold a total of 12 million gallons, and is also responsible for maintaining the 20-million gallon Ortega Reservoir Hydropower The District also owns a small hydropower station that utilizes energy from water flowing downhill from the treatment plant. Sales of electricity from the plant help offset costs to customers.	The District's ten reservoirs hold 12 million gallons of water that can be used during a power outage.
Water Storage Update: January 2001
Following a dry beginning, recent rainfall this season has been generous. Regardless of the weather, Montecito Water District is well prepared to provide the water our customers need.	The percent of normal storage in Lake Cachuma and Jameson Lake.