Integrated Regional Water Management Plan

Proposition 50 Round 2 Grant Funding

Santa Barbara submitted a grant application to implement the region's IRWMP to the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board for $25 million from Proposition 50 funds. On June 4, 2008, the State Board awarded the full $25 million to Santa Barbara County. The Cooperating Partners and stakeholders selected 15 projects from the group of high priority projects described in the IRWMP that help the region address key issues, regional and state priorities, and objectives while utilizing appropriate water management strategies. The 15 projects focus on two overarching needs: (1) more effective water management in the northern and central portions of the county through improved water and wastewater treatment to meet standards; and to allow effluent reuse and improved quality of surface discharges and returns to groundwater; and (2) increased water reliability and efficiency through conjunctive use and system flexibility in the southern portion of the county.

COMB is one of the project proponents for its 2nd Pipeline Project, and will receive $3.2 million dollars from the Proposition 50 grant to offset the total cost of the project.