City of Santa Barbara Unveils Innovative Climate Resilience Plan for Wastewater and Water Systems

The City of Santa Barbara has released the Draft Wastewater and Water Systems Climate Adaptation Plan (Plan) for review and public comments can be submitted through February 10, 2026. The Plan outlines how the City will protect critical water and wastewater infrastructure from increased flooding, sea level rise, and storm events. The Plan is the first of its kind in the state and was jointly funded by the California Coastal Commission, California Coastal Conservancy, and the City.

The Plan identifies impacts to the wastewater system as the highest priority risk to City infrastructure. The City's sewer system is built to manage wastewater, while the storm drain system - separate from the sewer - directs rain runoff into our creeks and the ocean. Heavy rainstorms can cause floodwater to enter sewer pipes and manholes, potentially overwhelming the system and resulting in sanitary sewer overflows. While the El Estero Water Resource Center is situated on elevated ground, floodwater often surrounds the wastewater treatment facility during rainstorms, making access difficult. Additionally, rising sea levels and coastal storm surges threaten to introduce saltwater into the wastewater system, disrupting the wastewater treatment process.

"Recent record-breaking storms have shown how many parts of Santa Barbara are increasingly impacted by flooding and erosion, particularly the low-lying areas between lower downtown and the Waterfront," said Alelia Parenteau, Sustainability & Resilience Director. "That low-lying area, once a tidal estuary, will continue to see increasing incidents of flooding due to higher rainfall rates."

High-priority measures recommended for the next 20 years include:

• sealing sewer manholes and rehabilitating flood-prone sewer lines;
• increasing sewer system capacity to handle heavy rainstorms;
• transitioning from the existing gravity-fed sewer system to a pressurized sewer system in flood-prone areas, as pressurized sewer systems are common throughout the nation in areas prone to high groundwater levels, storm surge, and heavy rainfall;
• establishing formal protocols to ensure the El Estero Water Resource Center can continue operating during flood events that limit access; and
• constructing floodwalls around the wastewater treatment facility.

"The City often gets asked whether we will have to move El Estero in the long term and where it would go," said Joshua Haggmark, Water Resources Director. "While this decision is not anticipated until the latter part of the 21st century, the City will eventually need to decide whether to protect the plant in place or relocate it." One City-owned site that could be considered for the potential relocation of the wastewater treatment plant is on a portion of the municipal golf course. However, many neighboring jurisdictions are also experiencing similar climate-change-related challenges, and it is a priority of the City to work with our neighbors to consider regional solutions to ensure long-term resilience and reliable service for all.

The Plan is part of the City's comprehensive Adaptation & Resilience Program, established to proactively prepare our community for climate-related hazards like sea level rise, flooding, erosion, and wildfire. Staff collaborate across the City and region to monitor climate change and develop strategies to address current and future impacts over time.

As part of the City's effort to seek community input, the Plan will be presented to the Water Commission and Planning Commission and will return to City Council before being finalized in May 2026.

For more information about the draft Plan and to provide feedback by February 10, 2026, please visit Wastewater & Water Systems Climate Adaptation Program (SantaBarbaraCA.gov/WWCAP).

Contact