Santa Barbara’s desal plant to start delivering water this month

Parts of Santa Barbara will soon be receiving water from the city’s reactivated desalination plant.

City officials announced The Charles E. Meyer Desalination Plant will start distributing water this month, although an exact date is not known. Joshua Haggmark, the City’s Water Resources Manager told NewsChannel 3 that the start date could come within the next three weeks, optimistically, by Monday.

City officials said the desalinated water will meet and exceed all state and federal drinking water regulations.

The desalination plant, located at 525 East Yanonali Street, will produce nearly 3 million gallons of water every day, meeting about 30% of the city’s water demand.

Water customers may notice a difference with desalinated water which is considered to be ‘softer’ and contains less calcium and magnesium. People may also notice water quality differences as seasons change because of the blending process of desal water, groundwater and surface water supplies fluctuate.

City officials said the public is being alerted now about the changes so people are aware and can make adjustments to water conditioning system settings.

To find out if you live in an area switching to desalinated water, click here.