There are several, fun, water-related destinations for classes within Santa Barbara County. Take your class out to see how water is treated before it is delivered to your tap or to a local garden to learn about resource efficient landscaping. For information on scheduling a field trip to one of the destinations listed below, please contact the listed number or call (805) 568-3440.
General
Dams/Reservoirs and Well Sites
Water Treatment Plants
Wastewater Treatment Plants
Demonstration Gardens
General
Watershed
Resource Center (K-8th)
The Center features interactive exhibits, a computer center, a resource
library, a watershed model, and a water quality lab. Topics covered
include local watersheds, water quality issues and how to protect
our creeks and ocean. The Center is available as a resource for
teachers, student science projects, and for participating in volunteer
projects. Many projects focus on actions that can directly help
to improve water quality, such as creek restoration projects, beach
and creek clean-ups, and water quality monitoring. Hours are Thursday and Friday, 12-5, Saturday and Sunday, 10 to 4:30. For more information,
please call Art From Scrap
at 884-0459 x16.
Dams/Reservoirs and Well Sites
Carpinteria
Valley Water District Well Sites (2nd-8th)
On this tour students will learn about the Carpinteria Groundwater
Basin, District pumping and distribution facilities and the treatment
process for this water source. To arrange a tour, call (805) 684-2816.
Lake
Cachuma and Bradbury Dam (4th-6th)
During this one-hour tour, students cross Bradbury Dam and inspect
the spillway. Topics for discussion include Santa Ynez Watershed
runoff and storage, and the Tecolote Tunnel, which carries water
to the South Coast. Contact dam-tender, Bruce Jones, at (805) 688-4612
to arrange a tour.
Montecito
Water District Ortego Reservoir (3rd-12th)
Students will learn about their local water supply and the importance
of the reservoir. To arrange a tour, call (805) 969-2271.
Twitchell
Dam and Reservoir (5th-12th)
The Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District will guide students
on a tour of Twitchell Dam and Reservoir. Students will learn about
the functions of the dam and the various activities of the District.
To schedule a tour, call Sandy at (805) 925-8989.
Water Treatment Plants
City
of Lompoc Water Treatment Plant Tour (3rd-12th)
On this 45 minute tour, students will learn how the City’s
water is filtered and softened. Capacity is limited to 30 people
per group. To arrange a tour, call Richard Wise at (805) 736-1617.
Students tour the main control center, laboratory, pipe gallery, and treatment units of this treatment plant. A picnic area is available for classes wishing to bring lunch. To schedule a presentation, call (805) 964-6761.
Montecito
Water District Bella Vista Treatment Plant (3rd-12th)
On this tour, students will learn about water quality issues and
the treatment process. Limit 25 people. To schedule a tour, please
call (805) 969-2271 two weeks in advance.
City
of Santa Barbara Cater Water Treatment Plant (3rd-12th)
During this 1-hour tour, students will learn how their drinking
water is cleaned before coming to their home. To set up a tour and for free bus service for Santa Barbara City Schools, contact Madeline Ward at 897-2672 or MaWard@SantaBarbaraCA.gov.
Wastewater Treatment Plants
Carpinteria
Sanitary District Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour (6th-12th)
On this tour, students will learn about the history of the Sanitary
District, the collection system, and the equipment used to maintain
this system. In addition, staff will lead students through the treatment
plant so they will become familiar with the steps required to produce
clean water and the laboratory analyses that are conducted to ensure
proper treatment. Pre-trip information describing wastewater treatment
is available at the District office. To schedule a tour contact
the Mark Bennett, Treatment Supervisor at (805) 684-7214 ext. 18.
City
of Lompoc Wastewater Treatment Plant (6th-12th)
For students from K-4th, the tour includes a video outlining the
water cycle, an overview of the treatment process and an hour-long
tour of the plant. Adult supervision is required with approximately
1 adult for 10 children. For students from 5th - college levels,
the tour includes a detailed discussion of the treatment process
and plant operations while viewing the equipment used to treat wastewater.
This tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours. Groups of approximately
30 to 40 people can be accommodated. To arrange a tour, contact
Dale Ducharme at (805) 875-8405.
City
of Santa Barbara El Estero Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour (3rd-12th)
During this 90 minute tour, students will learn what happens to
water once it goes down the drain or the toilet. To set up a tour,
and free bus service for Santa Barbara City Schools, contact Madeline Ward at 897-2672 or MaWard@SantaBarbaraCA.gov
.
City of Santa Maria Blending Station and
Wastewater Treatment Plant
(K-12th)
At the blending station, students will learn about the chloramination
process and its importance. At the wastewater treatment plant, students
will have the opportunity to view the wastewater treatment process
firsthand. To arrange a tour, call (805) 925-0951 Ext. 7270.
Laguna
County Sanitation District (3rd-12th)
This 1-hour tour includes an overview of each step in the treatment
process and will demonstrate how reusing water for spray irrigation
on pastureland helps meet our local water demands. Students will
also learn about the District’s project to convert to tertiary
treatment. Limit 30 people. To schedule a tour, call (805) 739-8750.
Montecito
Sanitary District Wastewater Treatment Plant (6th-12th)
Tours will be organized and tailored to the specific grade level,
the number of students and time requested. Students will see live
"sewer bugs" under a microscope, view a video of the inside
of a sewer pipe and witness an up close look at the treatment plant
process. To arrange a tour, please contact Diane Gabriel, Principal
Engineer, at (805) 969-4200.
Demonstration Gardens
Visit our Demonstration Gardens page.