SBC Public Health
Update by the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department
March 29, 2023
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has lifted the water contact closure for Butterfly Beach within one-quarter (¼) mile of the storm drain outfall. Recent ocean water quality testing conducted by Environmental Health Services has confirmed the ocean water is now safe for recreational use in this area following recent sewage impacts.
The Public Health Department also wants to remind residents about potential health risks associated with storm water runoff at countywide beaches with rain in the forecast again this evening. Storm water is untreated rain water that flows through the drain system into creeks, the ocean, and other waterways. Contact with storm water while swimming or surfing may increase the risk for certain types of illnesses such as rashes, fever, chills, ear infections, vomiting, and diarrhea.
To minimize potential health risks, it is recommended that people do not swim, play or surf in the ocean and creeks for at least three days following a rain event. Beachgoers should also avoid areas near the outfall from drainpipes and creeks that enter the ocean following a rain event as storm water runoff may carry high levels of bacteria and pollutants.
The County of Santa Barbara implements a variety of programs to protect public health and enhance environmental quality of County watersheds and beaches. Working to improve water quality by reducing or treating sources of pollution is a multi-faceted task. To find out what is being done to improve water quality and how you can help, visit www.sbprojectcleanwater.org.
Butterfly Beach Closed Due to Sewage Spill
By the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department
March 16, 2023
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has issued a “BEACH CLOSURE” for all recreational water contact at Butterfly Beach within one-quarter (¼) mile of the storm drain outfall in response to a spill of untreated sewage reaching ocean waters along this beach shoreline.
Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services was notified by the Montecito Sanitary District of a broken sewer force main on Channel Drive. The broken pipe is currently being repaired and no additional sewage is anticipated to be discharged to the storm drain. It was estimated that the spill involved a release of approximately 6,650 gallons of sewage.
As a result, Butterfly Beach within one-quarter (¼) mile of the storm drain outfall has been closed to recreational water contact. The affected area has been posted with signs warning the public to avoid contact with the water until sample results indicate the water is safe for recreational use. Contact with sewage-contaminated water increases the risk for certain types of illnesses such as rashes, fever, chills, ear infections, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The County of Santa Barbara implements a variety of programs to protect public health and enhance environmental quality of County watersheds and beaches. Working to improve water quality by reducing or treating sources of pollution is a multi-faceted task.
To find out what is being done to improve water quality and how you can help, visit www.sbprojectcleanwater.org.
Damn who’s controlling these waste water plants? Get it together sister
Huh? Pipes break, it is a normal part of these systems. It’s just not usually a force main, so this spill was worse than others. Kinda worst case scenario with it being right next to the ocean, too. Bad luck. Rest assured, I drove through the area (didn’t know what was going on at the time) and MSD had just about every worker out there getting it cleaned up and fixed.
Wow, that’s a big spill!
Lash was fixing it, not msd