On Wednesday, April 8, the Board of Directors of the Montecito Sanitary District approved its comprehensive Sewer Rate Study and adopted a Resolution of Intention to consider proposed sewer rate adjustments.  This initiates the formal public review process required under Proposition 218 to consider the proposed rates, including a public hearing on June 10, 2026.

The District’s last rate study was in 2016, and the rates have not changed since 2019.  Over the past two years, the District has undertaken a comprehensive evaluation of its wastewater system and long-term financial needs, including updates to its Sewer System Management Plan and the development of a five-year Capital Improvement Plan.
In November, the District hired an independent local financial consultant, Robert D. Niehaus, Inc., to conduct its sewer rate study. The study identifies increasing operating costs, aging infrastructure, and evolving regulatory requirements, and recommends phased rate adjustments over the next five years starting July 1, 2026 (FY 2027).

“Our system is aging and at risk of failures,” said Rock Rockenbach, Board President. “This is not a decision we take lightly, but it is a necessary step to ensure we can continue to provide safe, reliable wastewater service and responsibly invest in the infrastructure our community depends on.”

Like many wastewater service providers across California, the District is facing challenges related to aging infrastructure, rising operating costs, and stricter regulatory requirements. Much of the Montecito Sanitary District’s system was built in the 1960s and is becoming increasingly difficult to repair or replace, with key components nearing the end of their useful life. 

Over the next five years, the District plans to invest more than $60 million in capital improvements to repair and replace essential infrastructure. This includes a complete overhaul of the District’s failing wastewater treatment plant and system-wide rehabilitation of pipelines, manholes, and pump stations.
“These proposed rate adjustments will allow the District to proactively maintain and repair our system, reduce the risk of failures and sewer spills, and continue providing safe, reliable wastewater service to our community,” said John Weigold, General Manager.

Following the Board’s action, the District will mail a detailed Proposition 218 notice to all ratepayers, as required by Article XIIID of the California Constitution, outlining the proposed rate adjustments, the basis for the changes, and ways the community can participate. 

Property owners and customers of record may submit written protests prior to or at the public hearing on June 10, 2026. If a majority protest is not received, the Board may consider adopting the proposed rates at the hearing. Property owners and customers of record may also submit written legal objections in advance of the hearing. 

More information regarding the District’s rate-setting process and 2026 Sewer Rate Study is available online at www.montsan.org/rates. 

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Learn more: Sewer Rates & Fee Webpage 

The Montecito Sanitary District encourages residents to provide their input to help shape future wastewater planning, community engagement, and services in our area. Please take a moment to complete our 2-minute community survey to share your feedback. 

Take the Community Survey

This month, the Montecito Sanitary District (MSD) began rehabilitating approximately 1.2 miles of existing sewer main pipelines that carry wastewater from homes and businesses to the District’s wastewater treatment plant. 

The project, called the 2025 Sewer Main Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) Lining Project, will ensure the long-term reliability of the District’s aging pipelines, originally installed in the 1960s. It is part of the District’s efforts to proactively rehabilitate its pipelines and sewer system to ensure continued reliability and protect public health and the environment.

Using CIPP technology, the District can renew existing pipelines without extensive excavation. This trenchless method creates a durable new pipe within the existing line, extending the system’s service life while minimizing disruption to customers and roadways.

Construction work is focused along U.S. Highway 101 to the east of the wastewater treatment plant, under Olive Mill and Danielson Roads, and South and North Jameson Lanes. Construction notices were mailed to customers within the project limits. 

The project is expected to be completed in July 2026. Construction work will take place Monday through Friday from the morning to evening hours. Temporary traffic controls will help ensure the safety of those moving through the area. Most work will take place underground, with vehicles parked near work sites. Detour signs have been posted in this area, and all efforts will be made to reduce impacts to pedestrian pathways and local roadways. 

Steam may be seen rising from vents, and a temporary glue-like odor may be noticeable. The smell is sometimes a byproduct of the advanced CIPP method used to replace the damaged or deteriorated pipes. In normal circumstances, the glue-like odor is at levels too low to cause any health or other effects. For more detailed information, please see the Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) Fact Sheet or visit the National Association of Sewer Service Companies website.

For more information or questions, please contact Jon Turner, P.E., Construction Manager at (805) 518-2992. 

Project Summary: 

• Project Timeline: March - July 2026 
• Project Area: Olive Mill Road, Danielson Road, South Jameson Lane, and North Jameson Lane
• Project Benefits: Strengthens long-term system reliability, reducing the risk of failures and spills and the need for more costly emergency repairs.

Additional Resources

PW 853; GM 711212 - Protective Measures of District Infrastructure

Please see the Final Public Notice for the Districts' Federal Emergency Management Agency projects related to DR-4683-CA (January 2023 Winter Storms) detailing the four project sites where disaster recovery projects will be taking place.

You can contact the District at 805-969-4200 if you have any questions.

Highway 101 Sewer Crossing Lining Project

October 16, 2023, Santa Barbara, California.

The Project involves the lining of a 12-inch vitrified clay pipe and two 6-inch cast iron force mains, located withing a 60-inch steel casing crossing Highway 101, as well as manhole rehabilitation work. The Project working areas include a portion of N Jameson Lane as well as Posilipo Lane in Montecito, CA; and is within the jurisdictions of the County of Santa Barbara and Union Pacific Railroad.

Construction is anticipated from October 16, 2023, through December 8, 2023, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. No work will be scheduled during the week of Thanksgiving. For more information call Bryce Swetek, Engineering Manager, at 805-969-4200 or email at bswetek@montsan.org.

Posilipo Forcemain Relocation and Restoration Project-Phase I

June 12, 2023, Santa Barbara, California 

This Project involves the removal of an 8” force main crossing over Oak Creek within
Caltrans right-of-way and relocating it within County of Santa Barbara right-of-way. It includes
installation of 8” sewer force main, bridge pipe supports along Oak Creek Bridge, and other
appurtenances. The Project site is located near the intersection of S Jameson Lane and Posilipo Lane in
Montecito, CA and within the jurisdictions of Caltrans and the County of Santa Barbara.

Construction is anticipated from June 12, 2023 through June 23, 2023.  For more information call Bryce Swetek, Engineering Manager, at 805-969-4200 or email at bswetek@montsan.org.

Montecito Sewer Spill Near Butterfly Beach

March 17, 2023, Santa Barbara, California 

The Montecito Sanitary District discovered a sewage spill on Thursday morning, March 17 at 640am at the District’s lift station at 1285 Channel Drive.  The spill was contained by 730am.  The District estimates that the spill started on Wednesday night, March 16 at about 11pm and estimates an overflow of about 6,650 gallons of sewage reached the nearby storm drain which in turn drains to Butterfly Beach. 

The California Office of Emergency Services, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Regional California State Water Resources Control Board, and the Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services were all notified of this incident. 

Montecito Sanitary District is working to excavate and repair the leak in the 60-year-old six-inch cast iron pipe that is eighteen feet underground.  The sewer system has experienced heavy flow rates because of multiple storms this winter and this particular leak is in an area that was impacted by the January 2018 mudflows.

 Montecito Sanitary District’s Mission: A community service commitment to protect public health and safety and to preserve the natural environment through the collection, treatment and disposal of wastewater in the most cost-effective way possible. 

For more information contact John Weigold, General Manager, at (805) 695-4210, or at jweigold@montsan.org.

General Manager Resignation - Effective December 23, 2022

On October 24, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Montecito Sanitary District received General Manager Bradley Rahrer’s letter of resignation. During his 16 months at the District, General Manager Rahrer served as the General Manager and District Engineer. He has been an asset to the District, and his expertise will be missed. 

General Manager Rahrer’s last day with the District will be December 23, 2022. The Board of Directors thanks General Manager Rahrer for his service and dedication to the Montecito community and wishes him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Roundabouts Sewer Relocation Project - October 24, 2022 - November 10, 2022

Work will commence October 24, 2022 on the San Ysidro/North Jameson intersection to relocate and adjust existing sewer facilities to prepare for the upcoming CalTrans roundabout project.  Construction work will take place Monday through Friday from 9:00am - 3:00pm and is expected to last through November 10th, 2022.  Click here for further information regarding the project.