Santa Barbara’s mandatory lawn watering ban has been lifted and the citywide conservation target has been reduced, thanks to heavy winter rains that significantly improved the drought-stricken water supply.

The City Council last month voted to pursue additional funding for a potential expansion of the desalination plant and a new conveyance pipeline. That vote authorized an increase in the city’s State Revolving Fund loan application to $106 million.

“With the recent rains, we are able to postpone the decision on desalination expansion and the conveyance pipeline,” Dyer said. “We aren’t pursuing any funding for the conveyance project — but might in the future.” (LINK)