WATER NEWS

WELCOME TO THE NEWCITY OF GOLETA

General purpose govern-ments, such as cities andcounties, provide police,courts, welfare, roads andmany other services.

Goleta Water District is aSpecial District—an indepen-dent, local governmentfocused on providing a singlevital service: water. It is gov-erned by an elected Board ofDirectors who live in the ser-vice area and are customerslike you. They are your repre-sentatives.

Counties and cities establishland use regulations govern-ing development, buildingand zoning. Goleta Wa t e rDistrict’s sole job is to providequality water service to allGoleta Valley residents, busi-nesses and agriculture. TheDistrict will coordinate itswater service policies withthe new City of Goleta, andcontinue to work with theCounty in unincorporatedareas.

We welcome the new city,and look forward to workingtogether in serving the citi-zens of the Goleta Valley.

w w w. g o l e t a w a t e r. c o m

GOLETA WATER DISTRICT

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR WATER

ecent events have broughtthe issue of security to the

forefront in every walk of life.People are asking if their watersupply is safe and secure? Theanswer in the Goleta Valley isyes!

While there are no absoluteguarantees in life, GoletaWater District is continuallyplanning and preparing toensure a secure water supply.We have taken steps to providereliable service in the event ofearthquakes, fires and otheremergencies; during poweroutages; during floods,droughts and other problemsituations.

This newsletter answers ques-tions you may have about thequality and security of yourwater supply.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 2

Assuringa Secure

Water Supply

Assuringa Secure

Water SupplyR

We Worry About The Water Sup

Increasing Water QualityCapabilitiesHow We Provide Quality Drinking Water

Your water undergoes numerous treatment steps at our modernplant:

• Removal of particles.

• Disinfection with sodium hypochlorite to kill any existingbacteria.

• Filtration through 40 inches of granular activated carbon and6 inches of silica sand.

• Chlorination in minute quantities to protect the water in thepipelines until it reaches your home.

• Supervision around-the-clock by state certified professionalsusing computer-controlled monitoring systems.

Extensive Upgrades Ensure Quality

In the last several years, our treatment plant and computermonitoring controls were extensively upgraded to meet toughnew quality standards. The District’s water quality professionalsand consulting engineers are now undertaking a review of thelaboratory and other processes to make sure that we meetincreasingly strict drinking water quality standards.

Improving TheWater SupplyGoleta Water District hasdeveloped a portfolio ofwater supplies to ensure

it can meet customer water needsunder all circumstances.

Lake Cachuma—Our primarywater supply.

State Project Water—A supple-mental water supply and importantdrought buffer.

Local Wells and GroundwaterStorage—The District has beeninjecting excess water from LakeCachuma into the groundwaterbasin where it is stored for futureuse as a supplemental water supply.

Recycled Water—A smaller butvital water supply provided only forlandscape irrigation.

Goleta Water District has only one job—to provide our customers with plenty of high quality waterat a reasonable price. We focus all of our knowledge and resources on this single goal. This pagedescribes some highlights of our efforts in this area.

We Worry About The Water Sup

Goleta Water District’s Corona del Mar treatment facility.

One of several groundwater wells.

Illustration of a filter unit at thetreatment plant.

Supply, So You Don’t Have To

Modernizingthe System

Computerized Mapping

The District’s engineeringdepartment is overseeingcreation of a computerizedprogram—called GeographicInformation System (GIS)—to create digital maps thatrepresent the location ofroads, pipelines and build-ings. This mapping systemwill include zoning informa-tion; system details such aspipe size, location, and age;customer data; and otherengineering information. The GIS information willallow staff to maintain andimprove the system moreefficiently. The 3-D aerialphotographs that are at theheart of GIS were taken incooperation with other localagencies, saving our ratepay-ers money.

Supply, So You Don’t Have To

Cooperative Effort

Goleta Water District has adopted heightened securitymeasures to protect your water supply. The District isworking closely with many businesses, fire departments,utilities and community groups to coordinate responsesto emergencies of any sort. Some of the features thatprovide reliability and security for our customers include:

• Physical security through fenced and locked facilities.

• Additional alarms and improvements to our automatedmonitoring system.

• Additional patrols of facilities and water supplies.

• Additional water quality testing to detect any changesin quality.

• Backup power generators that can operate key facilitieswithout normal electrical service.

• Multi-million gallon tanks that can provide ample waterto meet daily and emergency water needs.

• Well maintained system of pumps and pipelines thatprovide reliable service.

TighteningSecurity

Aerial GIS photo of Goleta.

Goleta Water District has developeda water supply adequate to meetcustomer water needs, but there isnever enough water to waste.

The greatest potential for water savings is in our landscaping. WithSpring just around the corner, it is agood time to plan your garden forwater efficiency. Here are a few tips:• Select water thrifty native plants.• Group together plants that share

similar water requirements.• Limit the size of your lawn.• Apply three inches of mulch around

plants to retain water and combatweeds.

Plan Your Garden to be Water Wise

You are invited to visit the District’sDemonstration Gardens for ideas onwater-conserving gardening.

Goleta Water District hasmaintained and improved itsaging water system, and complied with increasinglystrict quality regulations while keeping rates below the rate of inflation.

To do this, the District hasinvested up to $4 million each year in facility improve-ments and added technicalspecialists to its staff.

Welcome to our newest water treatment operatorswho were hired to provideincreased water quality control at the treatmentplant. (Left to right) JimmyIbara, Dave Schiedow, RobertIvers, and Frank Cronkite.

CONSERVE

GALLONS

WASTE

FAUCET

WELL

PIPELINE

RAIN

RESERVOIR

DAM

RIVER

Great Employees, Key To Success

Can you find all ten words in the puzzle and circle them?

KIDS’ PUZZLE

R G A L L O N S G

V E V R E S N O C

D N S D A M L E F

W I G E T R W Q A

L L E W R I B D U

K E O C A V Y H C

A P J B I E O M E

P I Q N N R Z I T

V P W A S T E V R