Videos

Paying your bill online is easy! The Goleta Water District offers customers two free and convenient options for electronic payments: sign up for recurring AutoPay or use E-Check for one-time payments. Both of these payment options can be done using the District’s WaterSmart Portal. (Posted February 2023)

The District’s WaterSmart portal allows you to view your usage history, pay your bill, get money saving recommendations, sign up for usage and payment alerts, and much more! Over half of District customers are already taking charge of their water use with the tools provided by the WaterSmart portal. Learn more about WaterSmart, including the informative and useful features that can help you save water and money in this video. (Posted August 2022)

Water Wise in the Goleta Valley. California has officially entered another drought and many communities across the state face serious challenges ahead to manage their water supplies. While we can always hope for rain next winter and spring, no one can predict when the drought will end. Right now – though – here in the Goleta Valley thanks to the incredible conservation of our customers, and decades of investment in a diverse water supply portfolio, the community is well positioned to weather continued dry conditions. (Posted April 2022)

The District's Net-Zero Initiative. How the Goleta Water District balances increasing energy use with enhanced water reliability continues to present challenges amid rising energy costs. This water-energy nexus is a key driver of the District’s new Net Zero Initiative. The District is exploring the feasibility of a system-wide renewable energy project to install solar energy systems throughout its facilities. (Posted January 2022)

Delivering a Diverse Water Supply. The District has a diverse water supply portfolio that allows for operational flexibility in the event of a drought, conditions at Lake Cachuma, or during an emergency. The ability to draw on multiple supply sources to meet customer demand, known as blending, is a critical tool for maintaining reliable water service to the Goleta Valley. Learn more about the District's diverse water supply in this video. (Posted February 2021)

The District's Sustainability Plan. The Goleta Water District and its customers have built an enduring legacy of conservation and sustainability. From water-thrifty use to careful supply planning and management, the District has long sought to balance competing needs with the resources and investments required to maintain infrastructure and navigate water supply challenges. One critical piece of that effort is the District’s Sustainability Plan. Learn more about the District's Sustainability Plan in this video. (Posted January 2021)

Water Supply Planning. The Goleta Valley enjoys a semi-arid climate with frequent droughts followed by moderate to heavy rainfall. Carefully managing supply and demand, and using a variety of water sources is critical to meeting customer needs in this environment. With four distinct sources, how does the District determine how much of each is needed to serve customers? Learn more about the District's water supply planning process in this video. (Posted August 2020)

The District’s Distribution System. The District’s distribution system consists of 270 miles of pipeline, 8 water storage reservoirs, 6 booster stations, 9 Groundwater Production Wells, 6,500 valves, and 17,200 Service Connections. In addition, the District maintains 1,550 Fire Hydrants throughout the community. Learn more about how the District’s distribution system works in this video. (Posted January 2020)

Treating and Delivering Groundwater. The Goleta Groundwater Basin provides a critical resource for the Goleta Valley--especially during periods of drought. Over the years the District has invested millions of dollars to protect and sustain the basin. Learn about groundwater and how it gets from the basin to your tap in this video. (Posted September 2019)

How the District Maintains Water Quality. The District constantly monitors water quality, conducting thousands of tests each year to make sure your water is safe and reliable. But eight years of drought and several significant wildfires around Lake Cachuma have made the job of treating your water more challenging and more expensive. Find out how the District maintains water quality in this video. (Posted July 2019)

Permanent Water Waste Restrictions. Even though conservation is now voluntary, and watering day and time restrictions have been lifted, water remains a critical resource for the Goleta Valley. Learn about the State of California Water Waste Prohibitions that remain in effect in this video. (Posted June 2019)

There’s Value in Voluntary Conservation. Even though conservation is now voluntary, and watering day and time restrictions have been lifted, water remains a critical resource for the Goleta Valley. Outdoor irrigation is typically the largest source of water use for customers, accounting for nearly half of all residential use. Save water and money while enhancing the appearance of your landscaping by following the simple tips in this video. (Posted June 2019)

Goleta Water District Water Supply Update. Above average winter rainfall in 2019 and rising Lake Cachuma levels are good signs that the drought may be ending. On March 26th the Federal Government released additional water from Lake Cachuma to the District, which will allow the District’s Board of Directors to consider moving from a Stage III Water Shortage Emergency to Stage I in the near future. Under Stage l, all current watering restrictions would become voluntary and the drought surcharge would be lifted. Further information will be provided to our customers as it becomes available. (Posted March 2019)

The Ensuring Water Quality - Now and Into the Future video features drone footage of the affects of the large rain event in late January 2019. Recent fires in the Lake Cachuma watershed and runoff from rain produce changing water quality conditions at the lake. As a result of the Rey Fire in 2016, Whittier Fire in 2017, and the Thomas Fire in 2018, water quality conditions at Lake Cachuma are changing. Winter storms have washed ash, burned vegetation, and loose soil that has eroded from the burned slopes into the Santa Ynez River and the lake. Even as the community welcomes winter rain, the water at Lake Cachuma requires additional treatment at significantly increased cost. (Posted February 2019)

Recycled Water–A Crucial Resource That Conserves Potable Water. Highlights of the video include the role recycled water plays in the District’s water supply portfolio, a brief background of the recycled water system, a description of how recycled conserves potable water supplies, as well as its treatment and distribution through a purple pipe system. The Recycled Water Program is a successful public agency partnership with the Goleta Sanitary District (GSD). (Posted January 2019)

The State Water Project–Providing Important Supplemental Supplies. Highlights of the State Water Project video include the history of voter approval, its importance as a key supplemental resource, challenges due to limited availability of water supplies during statewide drought, and increased environmental regulations. (Posted October 2018)

Lake Cachuma–The District’s Primary Water Source. Highlights include Lake Cachuma’s five decade history, the District’s 36% entitlement, and ongoing challenges due to drought conditions, fish protection and recent fires. (Posted October 2018)

The Goleta Groundwater Basin – A Critical Drought Buffer video provides a concise summary of the important role the Goleta Groundwater Basin plays in the District water supply portfolio. (Posted July 2018)

Where Does Your Water Come From? This video provides an introductory overview of the Goleta Water District water supply system. It is important for District customers to understand where their water comes from, how the drought has influenced these resources, and the criticality of continued conservation. The District maintains a diverse water supply portfolio from four distinct water sources – Lake Cachuma, water from the State Water Project, the Goleta Groundwater Basin, and recycled water. (Posted March 2018)

The GWD Three Easy Outdoor Conservation Tips video focuses on three common water saving tips that have been identified during Conservation Check Ups as major sources of unintended water use. These tips help customers save water and money without impacting the appearance of their landscaping. (Posted January 2018)

Goleta Water District June 2016 public service announcement (PSA) placed on KEYT TV 3 ABC, KKFX Fox 11, and Cox/Spectrum Media in June 2016.

The District proactively removed two of the lawns in the District Demonstration Gardens by mulching over them. The project was intended to conserve water, and provide interested customers with an example of how to remove or reduce the size of their lawn. The video features two mulching techniques used by the District, including a layered technique (often called the “lasagna” approach) and a traditional direct mulching.

Goleta Water District Stage III Water Shortage Emergency public service announcements (PSAs) aired on KEYT TV 3 ABC, KKFX Fox 11, and Cox Media in May 2015.

Goleta Water District Stage II Water Shortage Emergency public service announcements (PSAs) aired on KEYT TV 3 ABC, KKFX Fox 11, and Cox Media in October 2014.

Goleta Water District public service announcements (PSAs) were placed on the KEYT TV3 ABC Water Woes program in March 2014.