A wet winter may be on the way, but the Goleta Water District is not taking any chances.
The district this week purchased 2,500 acre-feet of California Aqueduct water from the Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency for $1.2 million, said Ryan Drake, Goleta water supply and conservation manager. The district will pay an additional $1.4 million, he said, to cover the cost of moving the water to Lake Cachuma and, eventually, sending it back to the Antelope Valley. The water must be returned within 10 years. The district will be reimbursed for any unused portion.
During negotiations with the Antelope Valley this month, Drake said, Goleta edged out the Santa Clara Valley Water District, which had to settle for a smaller supply.