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All SBPL locations will be closed on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 (5/5/26) for a staff training.

Eastside and Montecito Libraries will close at 2pm on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 (5/6/26) for a staff training.

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Graphic of a twisted pipe with the words "Wipes Clog Pipes"

Contact Us

To contact staff by email: 
WWCollection@SantaBarbaraCA.gov

Or Call El Estero Water Resource Center:
(805) 568-1010 

For water and wastewater emergencies:
(805) 564- 5413

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Wastewater Collection System

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Water or Sewer Emergencies: (805) 564-5413

The Wastewater Collection System (Sanitary Sewer System) is designed to carry wastewater from our toilets, sinks, and showers via private sewer lateral pipes to the City’s sewer mains. The City owns and maintains 253 miles of sewer mains which deliver wastewater to El Estero Water Resource Center.

Sewer Testing with Smoke
Sewer testing uses safe, non-toxic smoke to help our crews identify cracks or leaks in the public sewer system or on private property, so they can be repaired either by the City or homeowner. This type of testing using smoke is the industry-standard and preferred method of identifying these issues and prolonging the health of our sewer system. Read our Sewer Smoke Testing Handout

Graphic of smoke testing the sewer system

Wastewater Collection System vs. Storm Drain System 
The storm drain system and the wastewater collection system are two separate networks of pipes, each serving a different purpose. Storm drains are the openings you see along street gutters or pipes that discharge into creeks or the ocean. These drains are designed to carry rainwater only. They are never used to transport wastewater.

Wastewater, on the other hand, flows through a different network called the wastewater collection system. This system carries sewage from homes and businesses to El Estero Water Resource Center, where it is cleaned and processed.  Only wastewater, not stormwater, is treated at El Estero. When rainwater enters the wastewater system, it can cause serious problems. Excess water can overwhelm the sewer pipes, leading to sewage overflows. For this reason, it is illegal to connect roof drains, yard drains, or other stormwater sources to the sewer system.

To prevent these issues:

  • The City’s Smoke Testing Program helps identify and eliminate improper connections between stormwater and sewer pipes.
  • Rainwater can also enter sewer lines through cracks, loose joints, or damaged pipes, which may lead to overflows through manholes.
  • The Sewer Lateral Inspection Program requires property owners to repair or replace damaged private sewer lines to keep the system functioning properly.

Keeping stormwater and wastewater systems separate helps protect public health, prevent pollution, and maintain reliable infrastructure.

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Sanitary Sewer Easements

The City owns and operates the sanitary sewer system or wastewater collection system, which is composed of underground pipes that transport wastewater from homes or businesses via the public sewer system to the El Estero Water Resource Center for treatment and safe disposal. Of the 253 miles of public sewer system, over 61 miles of the City’s sewer system are located outside public streets in public sanitary sewer easements that traverse private property.

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Wastewater Collection System Condition Assessment

The City’s sewer system includes pipes that were installed as early as the late 1800s and continue through modern construction. These sewer mains range in size from 4 inches to 42 inches in diameter. While many of the older pipes are still in service, some were built with materials that are no longer used under today’s standards.

To monitor the condition of this aging system, the City uses a specialized camera truck, known as a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) inspection van. City staff operate this equipment to visually inspect sewer pipes and identify potential issues before they become major problems. Inspections follow a nationally recognized standard to ensure consistency and accuracy.

The City’s CCTV inspection program is a key part of maintaining a reliable sewer system and protecting public health and the environment. The City has updated the program so that all sewer mains are inspected every five years. To learn more, residents can view the basin area CCTV map which shows inspection areas and the scheduled years for this work. 

Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Sewer Main Inspections

The City conducts sewer main inspections using robotic closed-circuit television (CCTV) equipment and industry-standard Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) software. These inspections document the internal condition of sewer mains and identify defects such as fractures, cracks, breaks, root intrusion, grease accumulation, sags, offset joints, and private sewer lateral connections. Observed defects are coded using PACP standard codes and uploaded to the City’s IT Pipes CCTV database. The software generates condition ratings for structural, maintenance, and overall pipe condition.

Inspection data is reviewed by the Wastewater Maintenance Planner/Scheduler to ensure data quality and consistency. The information is then used to optimize sewer cleaning schedules and prioritize maintenance and repair activities. Defective private sewer lateral connections identified during inspections may initiate follow-up through the City’s Sewer Lateral Inspection Program. 

In the event of a sewer blockage or Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO), the City performs follow-up CCTV inspections to confirm the cause and determine appropriate corrective actions. These actions may include targeted maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of the affected sewer main to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Inspection data is also integrated into the City’s Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). PACP structural condition scores stored in the CMMS are incorporated into a decision-support model used to identify and prioritize future capital improvement projects. This data-driven approach supports proactive asset management, system reliability, regulatory compliance, and long-term infrastructure planning.