Santa Barbara Saves 18 Percent Of Water Use

Santa Barbara residents are closer to the city’s conservation goal of 20 percent.

The numbers are out for July and water savings reached 18 percent.

Joshua Haggmark, the acting water resources manager told NewsChannel 3 he is pleased with the results.

“The community is clearly onboard,” he said.

The conservation us up from June, which was a 15 percent savings.

If the 20 percent mark is hit and sustained, Santa Barbara will have enough water to get the city through next year.

The Water Resources department is still working on the restart of the desalination facility. If all goes as planned, it would be up and running in 2016. Haggmark said even if the plant is on, residents will still need to conserve.