Carpinteria Breaks Ground on Historic Water Purification Project to Secure Local Water Future

A group of people in hard hats participates in a groundbreaking ceremony, holding shovels and standing in front of a construction vehicle.

CARPINTERIA, CA — May 28, 2026 — The Carpinteria Valley Water District (CVWD) and Carpinteria Sanitary District (CSD) broke ground today on the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project (CAPP), a landmark initiative designed to provide a drought-proof, locally controlled water supply for the community. 

The project will recycle over 1 million gallons of water per day, meeting approximately 25% of Carpinteria’s annual water needs. By treating wastewater with proven, advanced technology and injecting the purified water into the Carpinteria Groundwater Basin, CAPP will creates a reliable, year-round source that is resilient to drought conditions and climate change. 

"I’m excited for the opportunity to serve the Carpinteria community and construct the water purification project for improved water management in the future," Kelley Dyer, General Manager of the Carpinteria Valley Water District, said. " CAPP represents a critical step in strengthening our local water supply by helping recharge the groundwater basin. Following recent drought conditions that reduced basin levels, this project will help maintain more stable groundwater supplies during future dry periods.” 

Craig Murray, General Manager of the Carpinteria Sanitary District, highlighted the technological evolution of the partnership. "Carpinteria Sanitary District is excited and ready to enter a new era. We are becoming a resource recovery agency. Facilities like the one we are building take treated water that we currently release to the ocean and purify it for reuse. Agencies like ours can now use technology to keep water for the community.” 

The May 28 Groundbreaking Ceremony was attended by local, state and federal representatives from the State Water Resources Control Board, Department of Water Resources, United States Bureau of Reclamation, State Sen. Limon, State Rep. Gregg Hart, Carpinteria Mayor Natalia Alarcon, Santa Barbara County Supervisor Roy Lee , CVWD Board, CSD Board, and City Council who commemorated the significant project for enhancing community resilience in Carpinteria.  

Project Timeline and Construction Phasing 

Construction activities are scheduled to occur in phases through 2028 to minimize community impact: 

  • Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF): Construction on the facility, located within the existing CSD plant on 6th Street, is set to begin in June and continue through mid-2028. 
  • Conveyance Pipelines: Installation of approximately one mile of purified water pipelines is scheduled to begin in June  
  • Injection and Monitoring Wells: Drilling for the two injection wells and monitoring clusters is slated to begin in late 2026 and continue into 2027. 

Investing in Resilience 

CAPP represents a 50-year investment in local water security. The $90 million project is supported by over $35 million in state and federal grants, including funding from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, State Water Resources Control Board, and the California Department of Water Resources. The balance of funding will be met by a low interest loan from the State Water Resources Control Board. 

The advanced purification process—utilizing membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, and UV/advanced oxidation—ensures the final product exceeds all public health safety standards, providing the cleanest water source the basin has ever received. 

For more information and construction updates, please visit cvwd.net/CAPP. 

Four individuals in hard hats are participating in a groundbreaking ceremony with shovels at a construction site.
The image shows a sign for the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project, displaying a photo of the site near the ocean.
Image of the Carpinteria Sanitary District building with a sign for a groundbreaking ceremony for the Advanced Purification Project.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project, featuring a speaker and an audience.
A speaker presents about the Carpinteria Advanced Water Project, with visuals and information about water sustainability.
A white tablecloth covers a table with a logo, set against a green vine backdrop in an outdoor area.
A group of six people in hard hats hold shovels at a groundbreaking ceremony near construction equipment and a sand pile.
A groundbreaking ceremony with five people holding shovels, celebrating a water purification project in Carpinteria.
A group of people gathers outside a boardroom, some holding drinks, discussing in a casual setting with a building plan displayed.
A banner on machinery promoting the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project (CAPP) to improve local water supply.
A woman speaks at a podium about the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project, aimed at protecting local water resources.
The image shows the exterior of the Carpinteria Sanitary District building with a cloudy sky overhead.
A yellow construction machine is set up beside shovels in a sandy area, likely for a groundbreaking or similar event.
A man is speaking at a podium about a water project, with a banner promoting Carpinteria's water future in the background.
A conference room set up for the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project Groundbreaking Ceremony with chairs and a presentation screen.
A woman speaks at a podium about a water project, promoting community engagement for Carpinteria's water future.
A group of people in hard hats holds shovels, participating in a groundbreaking ceremony for a construction project.
A group of people in hard hats participate in a ground-breaking ceremony with shovels and a construction vehicle in the background.
A row of white hard hats lined up on stands, set against a cloudy background, likely for a ground-breaking or construction event.
A woman speaks at a presentation about a partnership related to Carpinteria’s water future, shown on a large screen.
A group of people mingles outside a modern building with greenery, likely at an event or gathering, under cloudy skies.
A group of people in hard hats participates in a groundbreaking ceremony for a water project in Carpinteria.
A speaker presents on water accessibility and predictability at a community meeting, with attendees listening and taking notes.
A group of people gathering outside a modern building, engaged in conversation, with greenery and an American flag in view.
The image shows several stainless steel cups featuring the text "CAPP" and "Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project."
A presentation about the future of water in Carpinteria, featuring a speaker and a large display.
A speaker presents about a water project funded by a loan and grant from various water funds, emphasizing community resources.
A networking event outdoors with people conversing, some in business attire, surrounded by greenery and a modern building.
A group of people in hard hats participates in a groundbreaking ceremony for a water project. Heavy machinery is in the background.
A group of four people in hard hats participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for a water project.
A man speaks into a microphone at an outdoor event, accompanied by two others, with construction equipment and materials nearby.
A woman and a man are smiling while exchanging a certificate at an outdoor event, with equipment and a microphone in the background.
A speaker presents at a seminar while an audience listens attentively in a modern meeting space.
A group of seven people poses at a construction site with equipment and a sign related to a water project.
A presentation about an Advanced Water Purification Facility, featuring images of the facility and a speaker at a podium.
A man in a suit is speaking at a podium, with a banner behind him related to California's water structure.
A sign displaying the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project, placed outside a modern building with chairs and a waste bin inside.
A groundbreaking event featuring three individuals in hard hats, shovels, and a construction vehicle in the background.
A gathering of people outside a modern building, socializing, with greenery and decorative bunting adding a festive touch.
An older man stands at a podium in a meeting room with seated attendees, one on a phone, showing a casual discussion setting.
A presentation screen displays details for the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project Groundbreaking Ceremony on May 28, 2026.
A woman is speaking at a podium during an event, while others listen seated nearby. The setting appears formal and professional.
Three men are engaged in conversation outdoors, with one additional person visible in the background.
A group of people in hard hats participates in a groundbreaking ceremony, holding shovels and standing in front of a construction vehicle.
Four individuals in hard hats are participating in a groundbreaking ceremony with shovels at a construction site.
The image shows a sign for the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project, displaying a photo of the site near the ocean.
Image of the Carpinteria Sanitary District building with a sign for a groundbreaking ceremony for the Advanced Purification Project.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project, featuring a speaker and an audience.
A speaker presents about the Carpinteria Advanced Water Project, with visuals and information about water sustainability.
A white tablecloth covers a table with a logo, set against a green vine backdrop in an outdoor area.
A group of six people in hard hats hold shovels at a groundbreaking ceremony near construction equipment and a sand pile.
A groundbreaking ceremony with five people holding shovels, celebrating a water purification project in Carpinteria.
A group of people gathers outside a boardroom, some holding drinks, discussing in a casual setting with a building plan displayed.
A banner on machinery promoting the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project (CAPP) to improve local water supply.
A woman speaks at a podium about the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project, aimed at protecting local water resources.
The image shows the exterior of the Carpinteria Sanitary District building with a cloudy sky overhead.
A yellow construction machine is set up beside shovels in a sandy area, likely for a groundbreaking or similar event.
A man is speaking at a podium about a water project, with a banner promoting Carpinteria's water future in the background.
A conference room set up for the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project Groundbreaking Ceremony with chairs and a presentation screen.
A woman speaks at a podium about a water project, promoting community engagement for Carpinteria's water future.
A group of people in hard hats holds shovels, participating in a groundbreaking ceremony for a construction project.
A group of people in hard hats participate in a ground-breaking ceremony with shovels and a construction vehicle in the background.
A row of white hard hats lined up on stands, set against a cloudy background, likely for a ground-breaking or construction event.
A woman speaks at a presentation about a partnership related to Carpinteria’s water future, shown on a large screen.
A group of people mingles outside a modern building with greenery, likely at an event or gathering, under cloudy skies.
A group of people in hard hats participates in a groundbreaking ceremony for a water project in Carpinteria.
A speaker presents on water accessibility and predictability at a community meeting, with attendees listening and taking notes.
A group of people gathering outside a modern building, engaged in conversation, with greenery and an American flag in view.
The image shows several stainless steel cups featuring the text "CAPP" and "Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project."
A presentation about the future of water in Carpinteria, featuring a speaker and a large display.
A speaker presents about a water project funded by a loan and grant from various water funds, emphasizing community resources.
A networking event outdoors with people conversing, some in business attire, surrounded by greenery and a modern building.
A group of people in hard hats participates in a groundbreaking ceremony for a water project. Heavy machinery is in the background.
A group of four people in hard hats participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for a water project.
A man speaks into a microphone at an outdoor event, accompanied by two others, with construction equipment and materials nearby.
A woman and a man are smiling while exchanging a certificate at an outdoor event, with equipment and a microphone in the background.
A speaker presents at a seminar while an audience listens attentively in a modern meeting space.
A group of seven people poses at a construction site with equipment and a sign related to a water project.
A presentation about an Advanced Water Purification Facility, featuring images of the facility and a speaker at a podium.
A man in a suit is speaking at a podium, with a banner behind him related to California's water structure.
A sign displaying the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project, placed outside a modern building with chairs and a waste bin inside.
A groundbreaking event featuring three individuals in hard hats, shovels, and a construction vehicle in the background.
A gathering of people outside a modern building, socializing, with greenery and decorative bunting adding a festive touch.
An older man stands at a podium in a meeting room with seated attendees, one on a phone, showing a casual discussion setting.
A presentation screen displays details for the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project Groundbreaking Ceremony on May 28, 2026.
A woman is speaking at a podium during an event, while others listen seated nearby. The setting appears formal and professional.
Three men are engaged in conversation outdoors, with one additional person visible in the background.
A group of people in hard hats participates in a groundbreaking ceremony, holding shovels and standing in front of a construction vehicle.
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