Here’s to the Next Fifty Years! City of Santa Barbara and Montecito Water District Sign Water Supply Agreement

(SANTA BARBARA, CA – October 20, 2020)

October 21, 2020 is National “Imagine a Day Without Water” Day. Here on the South Coast, it will commemorate the signing of a 50-year Water Supply Agreement between the Montecito Water District and the City of Santa Barbara. These two public agencies have been working hard to prevent any future days without water for the communities they serve.

All are invited to virtually celebrate the signing of the Water Supply Agreement between the City of Santa Barbara and Montecito Water District. This brief (30 minutes) event will include a short commemorative video and be held at 9:30 am on Wednesday, October 21, 2020.

Mutual consideration and careful planning are the foundations of the Water Supply Agreement that relies upon the City's Charles E. Meyer Desalination Plant to produce a local, rainfall independent water supply source that is nearly 100% guaranteed. This Agreement represents a great stride forward in water supply reliability for the Montecito Water District, and provides both the City and the District with valuable flexibility in essential resource management. Customers for both entities can take comfort in knowing that this regional partnership also improves price certainty, which means more predictable rates for all.

The City of Santa Barbara and Montecito Water District have been partners in significant water related endeavors such as the Cachuma Project, Cater Treatment Plant, State Water Project, and more for far longer than fifty years. The execution of this Water Supply Agreement commits both parties to broadening and strengthening that partnership for the coming 50 years.

Link to Event Video 

Nick Turner, General Manager (Montecito Water District) and Joshua Haggmark, Water Resources Manager (City of Santa Barbara) take turns at the podium.
The Water Supply Agreement is Signed by Mayor pro tem Kristin Sneddon and MWD Board President Floyd Wicks.