United Water outlines $350 million bond to fix Santa Felicia Dam, Freeman Diversion and seawater intrusion projects
July 15, 2026 | Santa Paula, Ventura County, California
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United Water Conservation District representatives told the Santa Paula City Council on July 15 that the agency plans to place a multi-project bond on the November ballot to fund federally and state-mandated fixes to regional water infrastructure.
Tara Mulally, speaking for United Water, described three priority projects: the Santa Felicia Dam Safety Improvement Project (seismic and spillway modifications), Freeman Diversion fish-passage and fish-screen upgrades, and an extraction barrier/brackish-water treatment project to prevent seawater intrusion. Mulally said the combined program costs about $469 million, that the district has secured roughly $3.15 million in grant funding and that a bond of about $350 million would be needed to fill the gap.
Mulally gave homeowners an example of local impact: "It's really looking like about $24 a year per $100,000 of assessed value, which is for the average home around a $121 a year," she said, adding the bond would be issued over time and repaid over roughly 30 years. She emphasized that bond proceeds legally must be used for voter-approved capital projects and cannot be used for salaries or administrative costs; annual independent audits and public reporting are part of the accountability plan.
Council members asked how the city could signal support. City Manager Dan Singer said it is common for special districts to ask the city to consider a resolution of support and that the council could agendize such a request. Councilors also questioned the consequences if the bond fails; Mulally said the board would face difficult choices, including large rate increases that could raise wholesale water costs significantly, project delays or possible decommissioning options for the dam under some scenarios.
Why it matters: The projects would affect regional groundwater recharge, flood and dam safety for communities downstream and agricultural water reliability. The bond’s scale and the two-thirds approval threshold mean a large community outreach effort will be required.
Next steps: United Water plans community meetings in September and October, public reporting and a bond-marketing effort ahead of a likely November 3, 2026 election. Council members requested staff consider whether to place a resolution of support on a future agenda.
Tara Mulally, speaking for United Water, described three priority projects: the Santa Felicia Dam Safety Improvement Project (seismic and spillway modifications), Freeman Diversion fish-passage and fish-screen upgrades, and an extraction barrier/brackish-water treatment project to prevent seawater intrusion. Mulally said the combined program costs about $469 million, that the district has secured roughly $3.15 million in grant funding and that a bond of about $350 million would be needed to fill the gap.
Mulally gave homeowners an example of local impact: "It's really looking like about $24 a year per $100,000 of assessed value, which is for the average home around a $121 a year," she said, adding the bond would be issued over time and repaid over roughly 30 years. She emphasized that bond proceeds legally must be used for voter-approved capital projects and cannot be used for salaries or administrative costs; annual independent audits and public reporting are part of the accountability plan.
Council members asked how the city could signal support. City Manager Dan Singer said it is common for special districts to ask the city to consider a resolution of support and that the council could agendize such a request. Councilors also questioned the consequences if the bond fails; Mulally said the board would face difficult choices, including large rate increases that could raise wholesale water costs significantly, project delays or possible decommissioning options for the dam under some scenarios.
Why it matters: The projects would affect regional groundwater recharge, flood and dam safety for communities downstream and agricultural water reliability. The bond’s scale and the two-thirds approval threshold mean a large community outreach effort will be required.
Next steps: United Water plans community meetings in September and October, public reporting and a bond-marketing effort ahead of a likely November 3, 2026 election. Council members requested staff consider whether to place a resolution of support on a future agenda.
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