Goleta Water District Board of Directors Approves Sustainability Plan
The Sustainability Plan illustrates the District’s approach for providing high quality water at areasonable cost to current and future customers, consistent with the District’s Mission. “The Plan outlines our sustainable approach to service delivery, which maximizes economic, social and environmental benefits for ourcustomers and the larger community,” said Board President Bill Rosen.The Plan, which was reviewed by the Board’s Water Management and Long-Range Planning Committee,identifies key initiatives and discusses early District success in establishing a sustainable operation.
Notableinitiatives include:
• Review and installation of solar and hydroelectric facilities to generate renewable energy.• Introduction of electronic billing and automated payment capability to provide paperless billing optionsand minimize the need for vehicle trips to the District office to pay bills.
• Ongoing assessment of opportunities to increase the efficiency of District vehicles.
• Sustainable disposal of wastewater at District facilities.
• Expansion of the District’s water-wise demonstration gardens to include “edible landscaping.
““My experience in the Environmental Health field makes me particularly proud of the attention our District staffhas given to the environmental components of the Plan,” noted Director Rick Merrifield. The Plan has beendesigned to enhance the District’s competitiveness in securing grant resources for important projects that will support sustainable operations. “The District is planning for the future in a very thoughtful and responsible way,”said Committee Chair Lauren Hanson. “I wouldn’t be surprised if our Sustainability Plan becomes a model forother agencies statewide.” The Sustainability Plan is available on the District’s website.
The Goleta Water District provides water to a diverse population of approximately 87,000 in the Goleta Valleyarea, including agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers. The District’s watersystem includes over 270 miles of pipelines, a water treatment plant, storage reservoirs, pumping facilities,active wells, a recycled water system, and connections with Lake Cachuma and the State Water Project.