# Water Commission - September 17, 2026


**Body:** City of Santa Barbara - City TV
**Date:** September 16, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Energy & Utilities, Construction & Infrastructure, Regulatory Compliance, Physical Infrastructure


The Santa Barbara Water Commission’s special meeting on September 17, 2026, included approval of the consent calendar, which listed the August 20 minutes and a draft contract and agreement for construction management for the Sand Rock water main replacement. No contract amount or vendor was stated. The Commission also approved staff’s recommendation to forward a proposed non-functional lawn watering ban and streamlined lawn-replacement process to City Council. The proposal implements state requirements under Assembly Bill 1572; Council consideration was planned for November 5. Staff said the city engaged Environmental Incentives to help develop the program and landscape professionals to prepare plant palettes and templates. Existing lawn-replacement rebates include $2 per square foot, with commercial rebates of $2,500 per irrigation meter up to $5,000 per property, funded through a remaining USBR grant and city funding.

Other updates included new desalination-plant pumps undergoing testing and existing contracts with local contractors for routine drain and reservoir-area cleaning. Staff reported that discussions with the Carpinteria-related JPA over proposed agreement changes and access to the city’s State Revolving Fund loan remained unresolved; no decision or new procurement action was reported on that matter.

**Source:** City of Santa Barbara - City TV