December Luncheon Meeting (Goleta) 12/12/18

Building Water Supply Resiliency: Diversity, Innovation, and Conservation

Water is one of Santa Barbara's most precious resources--it is essential to everything we do. With the wide expanse of the Pacific Ocean to the south, the towering Santa Ynez Mountains to the north, and a mild year-round climate, Santa Barbara has appealed to mankind for thousands of years. However, what makes Santa Barbara so inviting is also what makes it challenging to ensure adequate water. 

In the eighth year of an unprecedented drought, Santa Barbara remains well-positioned to continue meeting its water needs with the help of a strong commitment to conservation by its residents and the development of one of the most diverse water supply portfolios in the world. Santa Barbara gets its water from Gibralter Reservoir, Lake Cachuma, groundwater wells, State Water, groundwater banking, supplemental water purchases, recycled water, water conservation, and desalination.

Mr. Joshua Haggmark is a registered Civil Engineer and the Water Resources Manager for the City of Santa Barbara. He graduated from Calpoly San Luis Obispo and has worked for the City of Santa Barbara for over 19 years. He oversees both Water and Wastewater operations, which includes management of the city's diverse water supply portfolio. Mr. Haggmark has been actively involved in the reactivation of the Charles E. Meyer Desalination Facility in response to the current drought.