About Us

Goleta West Sanitary District’s mission is to protect the environment and the public’s health and safety while providing efficient, responsible service.

Our History

The Goleta West Sanitary District was formed in 1954 under the Sanitary District Act of 1923. It derives its authority in the California Health and Safety Code (Sections 6400-6830). For decades Goleta West Sanitary District has provided award-winning service in wastewater collection and treatment for our customers – the citizens and businesses of Western Goleta Valley and Isla Vista.

We are very proud of our longstanding street-sweeping program, which helps prevent polluted storm water runoff. GWSD is also proud of its fiscal management, Goleta West customers see some of the lowest rates in the area and the District has won several local and state awards for operation and maintenance of its wastewater collection system.

Our Wastewater System

Goleta West Sanitary District provides wastewater collection for residents and businesses in the Western Goleta Valley and Isla Vista. We serve 6,100 connections to over 41,575 people.

Our customer’s wastewater is pumped through the system to the regional treatment plant that is owned by Goleta Sanitary District (GSD). Several public agencies are contractual users of the GSD treatment plant. Each public agency owns a specific amount of capacity rights in the plant as follows:

  • Goleta Sanitary District – 47.87%
  • Goleta West Sanitary District – 40.78%
  • University of California Santa Barbara – 7.09%
  • City of Santa Barbara (airport) – 2.84%
  • County of Santa Barbara – 1.42%

Each entity is obligated to pay its pro rata share of all capital improvements and purchases for the treatment facilities. Each agency is entitled to its pro rata share of the capacity at the treatment plant. Permitted plant capacity is currently 7.64 million gallons per day (MGD); therefore, GWSD’s 40.78% equates to 3.11 MGD.

Awards

2018-2020

Special District Leadership Foundation
Certificate of Excellence
District Transparency

2019

California Water Environment Association
Tri Counties Section
“Joseph Hilliard, Collection System Person of the Year”

2019

California Water Environment Association
State of California
“Joseph Hilliard, Collection System Person of the Year”

2015-2017

Special District Leadership Foundation
Certificate of Excellence
District Transparency

2015

California Special District Association Mark Nation Special District Leadership Academy Certificate

2013

California Sanitation Risk Management Authority Workers Compensation Program Honors “Workers Compensation Excellence”

2013-2015

Special District Leadership Foundation Certificate of Excellence District Transparency

2010

California Sanitation Risk Management Authority Workers Compensation Program Honors “Safety Superstar Award”

2009

California Special District Association Santa Barbara County Chapter “Mark Nation, Manager of the Year”

2008

California Sanitation Risk Management Authority Workers Compensation Program Honors “Safety Superstar Award”

2008

California Sanitation Risk Management Authority Workers Compensation Honors Four Consecutive Years without a Workers Compensation Claim

2007

California Sanitation Risk Management Authority Workers Compensation Program Honors “Safety Superstar Award”

2006

California Sanitation Risk Management Authority Workers Compensation Program Honors “Safety Superstar Award”

2005

California Sanitation Risk Management Authority Workers Compensation Program Honors “Safety Superstar Award”

2003

California Water Environment Association State of California “Collection System of the Year”

2003

California Water Environment Association Tri-Counties Section “Collection System of the Year”

2000

California Water Environment Association Tri-Counties Section “Collection System of the Year”

1999

California Water Environment Association Tri-Counties Section “Collection System of the Year”

1991

California Water Environment Association Tri-Counties Section “Ken Spencer, Collection System Operator of the Year”