Santa Barbara Water Quality Report

Water Sources

Santa Barbara’s drinking water comes from a diverse range of sources, including:

  • Surface Water: Gibraltar Reservoir and Lake Cachuma.
  • Groundwater: Various wells tapping into local aquifers.
  • Imported Water: State Water Project.
  • Desalinated Water: Charles E. Meyer Desalination Plant.
  • Recycled Water: Used for non-potable purposes.

Water Treatment

The City of Santa Barbara treats its water to meet or exceed all federal and state drinking water standards. The treatment process includes:

  • Coagulation and Flocculation: Chemicals are added to the water to bind particles together.
  • Sedimentation: The heavy particles settle to the bottom.
  • Filtration: The water passes through filters to remove smaller particles.
  • Disinfection: Chlorine or other disinfectants are added to kill bacteria and viruses.

Detected Contaminants

Santa Barbara’s water is regularly tested for a variety of contaminants. The most recent reports indicate the presence of:

  • Microbial Contaminants: Such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
  • Inorganic Contaminants: Such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
  • Pesticides and Herbicides: Which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
  • Organic Chemicals: Including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.
  • Radioactive Contaminants: Which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

Water Hardness

Water hardness in Santa Barbara varies depending on the source. Generally, the water is considered moderately hard to hard. The hardness levels are typically measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or grains per gallon (gpg). Here are the typical ranges:

  • Surface Water: 120-250 mg/L (7-15 gpg)
  • Groundwater: 200-400 mg/L (12-23 gpg)

Water hardness is primarily due to the presence of calcium and magnesium ions. While hard water is not harmful to health, it can cause scaling in pipes and appliances and may affect the efficiency of soaps and detergents.

Effects of Hard Water

  • On Appliances: Mineral deposits can build up in pipes and appliances, reducing their efficiency and lifespan.
  • On Skin and Hair: Hard water can cause dryness and irritation, making it difficult to lather soap and shampoo.
  • On Cleaning: It can leave spots on dishes and glassware and make cleaning more challenging.

Solutions for water hardness in Santa Barbara California

  • Water Softeners: Installing a water softener can help reduce the hardness of the water. This is not the best option because water softeners exchange salt for hardness, adding an unhealthy amount of salt to your drinking water. Which is corrosive and bad for the environment. Its usage is also being banned in many municipalities.
  • HydroFLOW: this is the best option for treating hard water. It lets you keep the healthy calcium in your water but renders it harmless by not allowing it to adhere to your plumbing and fixture surfaces. Learn more about the benefits of HydroFLOW.

Consumer Confidence Report

The City of Santa Barbara publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) that provides detailed information about the water quality, including the sources, treatment processes, and detected contaminants. The latest reports can be accessed on the Santa Barbara Water website .