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Wastewater annual report: Santa Barbara identifies major rehab needs, reduces cleaning frequency with smart‑cover data
Summary
Wastewater staff reported that CCTV inspections found condition 4–5 defects on roughly half the system, prompting expanded rehabilitation planning; smart-cover monitoring and revised cleaning priorities reduced high‑frequency cleaning events by ~43% while staff pursue lining, repairs and private lateral replacements.
Thomas Welch, the city’s wastewater system manager, told the Water Commission that a three‑year CCTV inspection found condition 5 defects on about 6% of public mains and that combined condition 4 and 5 pipe approaches roughly half the system, indicating significant rehabilitation needs.
System overview: Welch said the city operates about 257 miles of public sewer mains, seven lift stations and roughly 27,000 private connections that serve city customers; Mission Canyon piping is county-owned but flows to the city treatment plant. He highlighted the use of a GIS 'story map' for public-facing reports and regulator briefings.
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