Please call the District at 967-4519 if you notice sewage overflow from District manholes. However, sewage backups within homes or on private property are usually the responsibility of the property owner. In these situations, you should call a plumber.

Maintaining the side sewer line, which connects a home or building to the main sewer line, is the responsibility of the property owner. The side sewer should never be broken or cut in order to connect a gutter or drain, or to run a plumbers snake. Tree roots, rodents, or contaminants can enter through a break, creating maintenance, health, and environmental problems.

Goleta Sanitary District is happy to provide area residents with information on installing an approved clean-out access. Residents also should notify the District in advance when planning to have roots cleared from a side sewer. If manpower is available, the crew can monitor the main sewer and remove any root balls cut free from your side sewer, preventing the material from clogging the main sewer pipeline. The crews can also answer any questions relating to sewer line problems. Please call 967-4519.

Homes and buildings which front a steep road run the risk of sewer back-flow. Call the District to determine whether your property includes a proper overflow prevention device.

Numerous studies show that the principal source of beach pollution is runoff from the watershed. This comes from corrals, human encampments, fertilizers and other sources washed into the sea during and after rainfall. As dramatically shown by the graph, watershed runoff is by a large measure the greatest contributor to beach and ocean contamination.

Here are some actions individuals can take to reduce pollution:

• DISPOSE OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE PROPERLY, IT'S FREE. Common household substances such as paint, solvents, pesticides, motor oil, antifreeze, and battery fluid, rank among the most common polluters of the wastewater supply. Free hazardous waste dumping facilities are available. For information, call the Community Environmental Council at 963-0583 ext. 105 or visit them on the web at: http://www.communityenvironmentalcouncil.org
  
  

• MANAGE ANIMAL WASTE. Always use doggie-bags when walking your pets. Horse and livestock owners must keep corrals clean and dispose of manure so that it does not flow into creeks.
  
• DISPOSE OF MOTOR OIL, PAINT AND CHEMICALS at the Free Household Hazardous Waste Site. Never pour chemicals on the ground or down storm drains.
  
• MANAGE SEPTIC SYSTEMS PROPERLY. Pump solids out of septic tanks often, and ensure leach fields are working properly.
  
• REDUCE RUNOFF OF FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES. Try less toxic garden care products, and use native plants that don't require excess amounts of fertilizer.
  
• PREVENT WATER RUNOFF INTO THE SEWER. Runoff from roofs, gutters and yards should never be diverted to the sewer system. Excess storm water can overload the sewage treatment system.
  

Goleta Sanitary District supports efforts by local governments and community groups to solve the watershed runoff problem. For further information, please contact.

CREEK AND BEACH PROTECTION
Audobon Society of S.B. (Wetland restoration) - 964-1468
Community Environmental Cncl. (Creek Watchers - 963-0583
Environmental Defense Center (Land use issues) - 963-1622
Surfrider Foundation (Blue Water Task Force) - 899-2583
Urban Creeks Council (creek restoration and cleanup) - 968-3000
U.C. Extension Ca Aquatic Science Ed. Consortium - 568-3330
Save Our Shores Water Quality Hotline - 877-687-6232

DISPOSE OF MOTOR OIL OR HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
Used Oil Hotline - 800-670-7645
Community Environmental Council - 963-0583
REPORT A SPILL OR POLLUTION INCIDENT (CREEK OR OCEAN) County Environmental Health - 681-4900
Regional Water Quality Control Board - 549-3147
C.A. Dept. of Fish and Game Tip Line - 800-952-5400

SEPTIC OR GRAY WATER SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
County Environmental Health - 681-4900

BEACH CLOSURES AND RESULTS OF WEEKLY OCEAN TESTING
Santa Barbara News Press Listing (Saturday)
Ocean Water Quality Hotline - 681-4949
Website: www.sbcphd.org.