Montecito plans recycled water project in face of 8-year drought

Montecito Water District, California, is working on a recycled water project, which would provide recycled wastewater to large irrigation users, such as golf courses and hotels.

According to a news article in Edhat, Montecito uses 90 percent of its water on landscaping. Historically, the community has suffered from "severe" droughts. The droughts have caused Lake Cachuma and local reservoirs--80 percent of the district's water supply-- to dry up and lead the district to purchase water supplies from surrounding regions. The district, between 2014 and 2017, even implemented water rationing and fined people for excessive water use.

The district's Recycled Water Feasibility Study predicts Montecito will reach rationing levels again if water usage remains the same.

According to the study, the proposed water recycling project, which would require collaboration between the water and sanitary districts, calls for a 600,000-gallon-per-day water treatment facility, where wastewater would be treated for irrigation and eventually groundwater injection use. The district says capital costs for the projects are approximately $15.8 million.

The recycled water project aligns with the district's goals to use 85 percent of "local, drought-proof" water sources, including recycled water and groundwater banking, by 2025.