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Montecito Water District’s 3-year water supply outlook indicates adequate water to meet projected customer water demand through Water Year 2027 without shortages and without the need for State Water Project or supplemental supplies, according to General Manager Nick Turner’s Quarterly Water Supply Update presented to the Board of Directors at their regular August meeting. With confidence in full reservoirs, improved local supply, and robust storage, the District has negotiated a contract for sale of State Water Project supplies which are considered surplus to the District’s needs through Water Year 2027 and perhaps beyond. Revenue generated by such a sale would help offset the District’s other expenses as considered in the most recent rate structure, adopted in June, 2024.
“As a coastal community, participating in desalination and offsetting those costs by selling surplus State Water to inland communities with fewer water supply options makes perfect sense,” said Turner. “Successful implementation of these key strategies aligns the District with achieving its goals—shifting to drought resilient sources that are close-to-home while minimizing the costs and uncertainty associated with the State Water Project.”