Santa Barbara’s conservation efforts bloom with scent-sational results

Guest article by Jackie Krentzman, freelance writer and editor

As cities step up their water conservation initiatives, one might expect to see homes with once verdant stretches of lawns now fronted by monochromatic rock and cacti gardens. But not in Santa Barbara. Despite having some of the best water conservation rates in the state, this seaside city's streets are a riot of color year-round, full of extravagant gardens and lush greenery.

"Santa Barbara is a horticulturist dream," said Madeline Wood, the city's water conservation analyst. "Many botanists have made our city their home and developed new species and started nurseries here. This is a city that takes pride in its gardens, and we have been able to make Santa Barbara both beautiful and sustainable."

Santa Barbara's need for careful management of its water resources dates back to the water systems installed by the Franciscan friars. The city's modern water conservation program began in the 1970s when it mandated conservation measures for both commercial and residential properties. Droughts in the subsequent decades led the city to further prioritize water conservation.

As a result, water consumption per capita today is less than 50% of what it was in the 1980s - even though the city's population is significantly higher. Santa Barbara's water usage is among the lowest in California per capita.

In June this year, when the state issued a new water usage rule, Santa Barbara was among the handful of cities already in compliance. In fact, it was on track to exceed the state's water conservation goals for 2040.

Comparisons are tricky, as many factors - including climate, population type, and percentage of seasonal occupants - can impact water usage. Still, it is noteworthy that the city's residential gallons per capita per day is 27% lower than the statewide average.

"A lot of folks have gone through the severe droughts, so they know what needs to be done," says Wood.

Conservation starts in your own backyard

Santa Barbara's Mediterranean climate and its location between the 4,000-foot Santa Ynez mountains and the Pacific Ocean make the city a gardener's delight. But that same setting also makes it difficult to reliably supply the water necessary to support a population of 95,000. At just 20 square miles, Santa Barbara lacks the space for flood basin areas that trap, store, and infiltrate stormwater.

Santa Barbara draws water from a diverse water supply portfolio that includes the State Water Project, recycled water for irrigation, two local surface water reservoirs, and a seawater desalination plant that provides approximately 30% of the city's water.

These sources have proven to be sufficient and sustainable only because the city and its residents make conservation a priority. Santa Barbara's water customers today use 38% less water per person than in 2013.

The city offers a variety of programs to help its customers reduce their water usage. For example, Santa Barbara's YouTube channel has DIY videos on how to repair a leak, change a landscape palate to native, or upgrade an irrigation system. The city also works with landscapers, landscape architects, and garden and irrigation supply stores to help their customers become more water efficient.

Billy Goodnick, a landscape architect in Santa Barbara and the host of the city-sponsored TV show "Garden Wise," has helped numerous city residents transform their water-hungry gardens into equally beautiful water-sipping oases.

"One of my jobs is to help clients dispel the myth that a beautiful garden requires lots of water and that a water-smart garden has to look like the Sonoran Desert," he said." Because of our Mediterranean climate, there is an amazing range of flowering shrubs, trees, and flowers that if properly irrigated, can use little water. We can replicate the garden of your dreams, just by swapping out plants."

Recently, the city took a big step forward in its water conservation efforts by launching an online water use portal that allows customers to track hourly water use, receive leak alerts, compare usage to similar households, and get customized usage at any time instead of through a monthly water usage report.

The portal connects to the city's upgraded automated, remote metering infrastructure. Forty percent of the city's residential and commercial property owners have signed up in just the first few months.

Despite Santa Barbara's positive trajectory, some key issues remain.

"We are an old city, and with that comes aging infrastructure," says Joshua Haggmark, the city's water resources manager. "We have an average of 60 water main breaks a year, which both wastes water and requires expensive repairs."

According to Haggmark, just doubling the pipe replacement program from 1 to 2% now costs the city $15 million annually. He hopes the state can play a role in helping the city meet its goal of reducing water loss by funding grants and low-interest loans for infrastructure replacement.

"We are eager to move into the water loss arena," he said. "We know how much we produce and how much we sell, so we need to develop new tools to reduce water loss in the water distribution system. It is an exciting time to be working in the water industry."

Another major initiative for the city is water affordability. This past year the city conducted a study that looked at the rising cost of water and wastewater and developed a list of priorities to keep water affordable to all customers.

Haggmark says the city will be working on implementing initiatives that help meet both the financial needs of customers and the system itself.

"We want to make sure that water remains accessible and affordable for everyone in the community - that is an issue we are passionate about and will be tackling," he said.

The Cal Cities #LocalWorks initiative shines the spotlight on examples of local actions that are making a difference to their communities. Show how #LocalWorks in your community by contacting [email protected].

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