Lower Rincon Creek Watershed Study (1999)
Surfers Ring the Bell
3,500 signatures were gathered on a petition by CURE (Clean Up Rincon Effluent) and goes unheeded by Santa Barbara County;
Surfers ask Hillary Hauser for help, to write something about the problem;
“Another Day at the Beach” Santa Barbara News Press, August 9, 1998, created a public outcry and was the genesis of Heal the Ocean, which Hillary Hauser and Jeff Young formed on August 27, 1998.
Among the steps along the 15-year rocky road of the project, were the following:
Carpinteria Sanitary District says the first step in the process to connect to the public sewer is an engineering study for each homeowner group;
Rincon Clean Water Classic surf contest and other surfers hold contests to raise funds for the studies;
Rincon Point homeowners on-board (at least most of them);
HTO writes a $9,000 check to fund the engineering feasibility study;
HTO initiates DNA testing of Rincon Lagoon (HTO is the first environmental group in the U.S. to do DNA testing in the environment), works with SB County Environmental Health Services on the project;
DNA tests confirm septic systems as a source of pollution.
Heal the Ocean commissioned the Lower Rincon Beach Watershed Study to put an end to speculation regarding the sources of pollution at Rincon Point, a world-class surf spot. This study, prepared in partnership with the County of Santa Barbara Public Health Department and Project Clean Water, was one of the first in the nation to utilize DNA analysis in the environment to determine sources of fecal contamination (human or animal), and this study ultimately determined that human sources of pollution were contaminating Rincon Creek.
Sharing a standing ovation from the Regional Water Quality Control Board: Holding the Commendation plaque – RWQCB Chair Jean-Pierre Wolff and Hillary, and to her left, RWQCB member (and HTO co-founder) Jeff Young. RWQCB members in background, L to R: RWQCB Vice Chair Monica Hunter, Michael Johnston & Bruce Delgado. (Photo by Cheryl Tomchin)
For its work with the Carpinteria Sanitary District on the Rincon septic-to-sewer project, HTO received a Commendation from the Regional Water Quality Control Board on January 19, 2015, and commendations also came from the California State Senate and the County Board of Supervisors. The Regional Board Commendation was read by RQWCB Board member (and HTO Co-Founder) Jeff Young.
15 years later, over 7 miles of beachfront is septic free- Rincon, Sand Point, Sandyland, Padaro Lane, and also various roads and lanes in the Montecito foothills. HTO continues to work with the City of Santa Barbara on implementing the West End Master Plan, which focuses on the septic "pockets" within the city.