About Us

The Water District was formed in 1960 under the Water Conservation Law of 1931, Division 21, Section 74000 et seq. of the California Water Code (the “Act”) as an Improvement District of the Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District (the “Parent District”), for the purposes of furnishing water within the Water District.  The  Water District has operated continuously since 1960.

The Water District functions as an Improvement District, which means it is an independent unit of local government serving the needs of a community.  Improvement Districts are the most efficient forms of government since the cost of the services provided to the customers directly equals the revenue generated from the charges for services provided.

Located in the central portion of Santa Barbara County, the Water District serves the communities of Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, Ballard and the City of Solvang.  With of approximately 8,298 customers (excluding the City of Solvang), the Water District currently provides water directly to 2,553 municipal and industrial customers and approximately 118 agricultural customers.  The Water District currently obtains approximately 40% of Water District water from the Cachuma Project, 8% of water from the Central Coast Water Authority, 27% from District wells which pump from the Santa Ynez Uplands Groundwater Basin, and 25% from District wells which pump from the Santa Ynez River Alluvium. 

Click on the "Water District Facts and Figures" link above for more detailed information on the District.