What is Project Clean Water?

At the direction of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, Project Clean Water was established in 1998 to identify and implement solutions to creek and ocean water pollution. The two principal County departments charged with these tasks were the Public Works Department, via the Water Agency, and the Public Health Department, via Environmental Health Services. The County is joined in this effort by the cities of Santa Barbara County and members of groups such as the Urban Creeks Council, the Audubon Society, the Surfrider Foundation, Heal the Ocean, CURE, Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, Coalition of Labor, Agriculture & Business and the Community Environmental Council, as well as many community members.

The mission of Project Clean Water is to protect public health and enhance environmental quality in Santa Barbara County watersheds and beaches.

Specific Project Clean Water goals are:

• to protect the health of the recreational public and the environment,
• to meet Clean Water Act mandates through compliance with Phase II NPDES Permit requirements and applicable regulations,
• to foster maximum public involvement and awareness,
• and to establish stable funding sources.

Project Clean Water staff walk local creeks to perform a visual survey and note problems areas and take corrective action as necessary. Staff also collect water samples, which are analyzed at a laboratory to determine the concentration of various types of water pollution. The pollutants tested for include bacteria, pesticides and oil. Data from this water sampling are used to target appropriate solutions to water pollution.

Project Clean Water staff meet quarterly with interested members of the public to share ideas, information and give an update on Project Clean Water efforts. In addition, various working groups meet to discuss issues such as the County's Storm Water Management Program, water sampling protocol, youth education, septic systems, and public education and information. We welcome your participation.