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Written by: Robert McDonald, General Manager of Carpinteria Valley Water District As climate change intensifies and water supply challenges become more unpredictable, communities across California, including Carpinteria, are taking proactive steps to secure their water future. The Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project (CAPP) is one such critical investment—a project designed to increase drought resilience, ensure local control of water resources, and provide a sustainable, environmentally responsible water supply for generations to come. A Project Driven by Necessity The need for CAPP is grounded in the realities of the region's current and projected water supply situation. Carpinteria is highly dependent on surface water from the State Water Project and the Cachuma Project—sources that are becoming increasingly unreliable due to climate change, prolonged droughts, and regulatory constraints. During the recent drought, Carpinteria received a zero water allocation from Lake Cachuma in 2016 for the first time ever while State Water Project allocation was 5% in 2014 (and 2021 and 2022), highlighting the vulnerability of these imported water supplies. From 2013 to 2020, lack of surface water availability and local rainfall caused increased groundwater use locally, reducing groundwater in storage below Carpinteria to the lowest on record. As climate projections suggest that State Water Project deliveries could be reduced by as much as 23% in the next 20 years, the urgency of securing alternative, more reliable sources of water is evident. Building Drought Resilience and Local Control CAPP aims to recharge the local groundwater basin with purified recycled water for potable reuse, offering a sustainable, locally controlled water source. By doing so, the project will enhance the District's drought resilience and reduce dependence on imported water sources that are subject to fluctuating availability. By having a robust local water supplies the District will have greater flexibility in times of crisis, such as earthquakes, mudslides, or infrastructure failure, which could disrupt surface water deliveries. With naturally occurring groundwater recharge taking years and being dependent on sporadic rainfall, having a reliable local supply will be essential in maintaining water security. Risks of Inaction: A Threat to Future Generations CAPP will ensure Carpinteria is prepared for the next drought but will be expensive. Failing to invest in water infrastructure like CAPP poses significant risks to the community. Without a reliable, locally controlled water source, Carpinteria’s future water supply could be severely jeopardized, leading to severe water rationing during extended droughts potentially costing the local economy millions of dollars. The consequences of relying on increasingly unreliable imported water are clear: greater vulnerability to water shortages, greater risk of economic loss to our community and diminished capacity to support our local community.  CAPP: The Most Cost-Effective and Environmentally Responsible Option Now While alternatives to CAPP, such as seawater desalination, have been explored, CAPP stands out as the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution. Seawater desalination plants are costly to build, operate, and maintain, with high energy consumption and environmental impacts such as brine disposal. In contrast, CAPP leverages existing infrastructure and uses well-established advanced water treatment technologies to purify recycled water—a more affordable and sustainable approach that reduces the impact on the environment and local communities. CAPP has received $27 million in federal and state grants and a low interest construction loan (1.7% APR) that would be lost if the project is not built now. A Model for the Future CAPP is part of a larger trend, where more than 40 agencies in California believe potable water reuse is the solution to the water supply crisis. Projects like CAPP are currently in the planning and design stages across the region. Our district is positioned to build on similar projects in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Monterey, that demonstrate the reliability, safety, and value of local water control and sustainable water projects. Check out this map of similar projects across the world: water360.com.au/map/ Conclusion: The Time for Action is Now The Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project is more than just a water purification facility, it is a step toward ensuring a reliable, affordable, and environmentally sustainable water supply for the Carpinteria Valley. With grant funding, community support, and proven technologies behind it, CAPP will safeguard the district’s water future and protect the region from the unpredictable challenges posed by climate change. For more information about CAPP, please visit cvwd.net/capp. Follow CVWD on X @CarpWater or Carpinteria Valley Water District on Facebook and Nextdoor.

Interested in serving on the CVWD Board of Directors? The Carpinteria Valley Water District is looking for citizens living in the district 5 service area that are interested in serving on the Board of Directors. The Notice of Vacancy announces the position to be filled is a 4-year term ending December 4, 2026 (approx. 2 years remaining on the term). The appointed candidate will take a seat at the December 11, 2024 Board Meeting. The seat will go to election next in November of 2026 for the next 4-year term.  Interested applicants may file an application at the District Offices by 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 18, 2024. District Offices are located at 1301 Santa Ynez Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013 or email bob@cvwd.net. Contact Bob McDonald at (805) 684-2816 x123. Applications are available upon request. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and living and registered to vote within the CVWD voting district 5 at the time of appointment.