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Santa Barbara water commission reviews draft wastewater and water systems climate adaptation plan, flags costs and equity concerns
Summary
The water commission reviewed a draft wastewater and water systems climate adaptation plan highlighting wastewater vulnerabilities to storm flooding and saltwater intrusion, recommended phased actions (monitoring, I&I reduction, low‑pressure sewer conversion, interim flood protections) and identified $50–130 million in potential infrastructure needs over 20 years.
Melissa Hedrick, the City of Santa Barbara’s adaptation and resilience manager, told the Water Commission that the draft wastewater and water systems climate adaptation plan released Dec. 9 analyzes coastal and rainfall hazards across the city and focuses on vulnerabilities in the wastewater collection and treatment systems.
“The plan does analyze all climate impacts,” Hedrick said, adding the plan evaluates sea level rise, rising groundwater, changes in rainfall patterns, drought and wildfire. Staff presented state sea‑level projections used for planning — about 0.8 feet by 2050, 2.5 feet by 2075 and roughly 4.9–5 feet by 2100 under higher trajectories — and said the plan uses an intermediate‑high scenario for conservative near‑term planning.
The consultants and staff said the highest risks are to the wastewater collection and treatment systems because intense rainfall and rising…
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