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Residential Resources

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. To find a comprehensive list of innovative environmental solutions for all types of waste including recycling services and collection sites, waste prevention tips, Recycling A-Z Guide and a directory of recycled-content products visit Santa Barbara County’s Waste Reduction Website: www.lessismore.org.

Actions individuals can take to reduce pollution:

  • DISPOSE OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE PROPERLY, IT’S FREE! 
    Household substances such as paint, solvents, pesticides, motor oil, antifreeze, and battery fluid rank among the most common of wastewater pollutants. Free hazardous waste collection facilities are available. To find up-to-date information on disposal sites and community collection events visit Less is More.
  • MANAGE ANIMAL WASTE. Always use doggie-bags when walking your pets. Horse and livestock owners must keep corrals clean and properly dispose of manure so that it does not flow into storm drains and/or creeks.
  • DISPOSE OF MOTOR OIL, PAINT AND CHEMICALS at a FREE Community Hazardous Waste Collection Site. Never pour chemicals on the ground or down storm drains.
  • MANAGE SEPTIC SYSTEMS PROPERLY. Pump solids out of septic tanks often and ensure leach fields are working properly.
  • REDUCE RUNOFF OF FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES. Try less toxic garden care products and plant native species that do not require excess amounts of fertilizer and irrigation.
  • PREVENT WATER RUNOFF INTO THE SEWER. Runoff from roofs, gutters and yards should never be diverted to the sewer system. Excess storm water can overload the POTW (Publically Owned Treatment Works.)

Information for Community Environmental Groups and Activities

Goleta Sanitary District supports efforts by local governments and community groups to solve the watershed runoff problem. For further information, please contact the appropriate Agency:

CREEK AND BEACH PROTECTION
Audubon Society of Santa Barbara (Wetland Restoration) - 964-1468, Sick or injured birds (805) 681-1080
Environmental Defense Center (Land use issues) (805) 963-1622
Surfrider Foundation (Blue Water Task Force) (805) 899-2583
Santa Barbara Urban Creeks Council (Creek restoration and cleanup) (805) 962-8260
Save Our Shores Water Quality Hotline (877) 687-6232 (leave recorded message)

DISPOSE OF MOTOR OIL OR HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
Used Oil Hotline (805) 882-3615
Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center (805) 882-3602
UCSB - Mesa Road, Building 565 
Saturday 9:00-3:00, Sunday 11:00-3:00 
This facility is closed during rain and major holidays.

REPORT A SPILL OR POLLUTION INCIDENT (CREEK OR OCEAN)
Santa Barbara County Environmental Health (805) 681-4900
Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Coast Region (805) 549-3147
California Department of Fish and Game Tip Line (CAL TIP) (888) 334-2258

SEPTIC OR GRAY WATER SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
County Environmental Health (805) 681-4900

BEACH CLOSURES AND RESULTS OF WEEKLY OCEAN TESTING
Santa Barbara News Press Listing (Saturday) 
Ocean Water Quality Hotline (805) 681-4949 Website: www.sbcphd.org

HOUSEHOLD PHARMACEUTICAL WASTE DISPOSAL
Unused prescription and over-the-counter medications that are put in drains or flushed down the toilet pollute the environment, so please take medications as prescribed and then properly dispose of any unused portions. In June 2016, the County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance that requires pharmaceutical manufacturers that sell product in our county to establish and fund a free collection program for unwanted household medications. MED-Project, the organization implementing the program on behalf of the pharmaceutical industry, installed the first round of collection kiosks in March 2018 and continues to add more locations on an ongoing basis. Some of the sites in the District are listed below, or they can be be accessed at https://med-project.org/

CVS Pharmacy at 5875 Calle Real Goleta (805) 967-5677
CVS Pharmacy at 189 Turnpike Rd, Santa Barbara (805) 967-4525
Sheriff's Dep't. Isla Vista Substation at 6504 Trigo Road, Isla Vista (805) 681-4179

Sheriffs Department, Santa Barbara Jail at 4436 Calle Real, Santa Barbara

For more information about the safe disposal of household medications visit: www.lessismore.org.

 

  • Mission:

    We protect public health and the environment through cost-effective wastewater collection, treatment, and resource recovery to meet present and future community needs.

  • Vision:

    To be the Region’s Leader in Water Resource Recovery through Excellence and Innovation.

  • Values:

    We value our Community, the People we Serve, and the Environment we Protect by: Acting with Integrity, Being Dependable, Being Responsible, Being Safe and, Being Innovative.