Santa Barbara County Supervisor Joan Hartmann says Los Olivos is “out of time.”

Before 384 parcels are committed to a project costing more than $51 million, what law requires it, and does the evidence support that urgency?

Groundwater must be protected. I am not arguing for polluted water or inaction. I am asking for the complete story.

What the Tests Show

In her Sept. 12 commentary, “After 50 Years, the Clock Has Run Out on Los Olivos’ Wastewater Predicament,” Hartmann says isotope testing “unambiguously” proves nitrate beneath Los Olivos comes from septic systems.

The public laboratory report contains measurements but no written analysis apportioning potential sources.

The results do not prove every result comes exclusively from septic systems or that every property is responsible.

If the proof is unambiguous, release the complete analysis.

Hartmann also says two monitoring wells “regularly exceed” the 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) drinking-water limit. In June 2026, three wells were below 10, MW-2 measured exactly 10 and only MW-4 exceeded it, at 12.

These are shallow monitoring wells — not public drinking-water wells. The 2025 public-system report found nitrate between 0.95 and 5.8 mg/L in active upland supply wells — all below the drinking-water standard.

Excessive nitrate exposure carries real risks. But Hartmann invokes “blue baby syndrome,” cancer and birth defects without identifying the water in Los Olivos is well above the standard or documenting that residents are not experiencing any exposure.

Our supervisor’s words should inform people — not unnecessarily frighten them or damage confidence in our town.

What 1 mg/L Means

Hartmann calls 1 mg/L — approximately 1 part per million — the nitrate level “allowed” by the Basin Plan Water Quality Objectives set by the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.

The Basin Plan identifies it as a legally significant median groundwater objective based on averages. But it is not the drinking-water limit, does not prove every property caused contamination and does not mandate a sewer to Solvang.

I want groundwater at 1 mg/L. I also want zero crime, perfect streets, no traffic deaths and every child to earn straight A’s.

Those are worthy goals.

But a goal does not prove who caused a problem, find an entire community guilty or dictate one remedy.

Hartmann takes an objective, treats it like a conviction and announces the sentence.

What Has Not Been Proven

Hartmann declares contaminated shallow groundwater “discharges directly” into Alamo Pintado Creek.

Yet the Los Olivos Community Services District’s plan says there is insufficient data to calculate the shallow lateral gradient and that vertical groundwater flow is unknown.

Where are the creek samples? Where are the measurements establishing the direction, quantity and nitrate concentration of groundwater entering the creek?

Solution Worse Than the Problem

California records four consecutive quarterly exceedances of Solvang’s separate 10 mg/L total-nitrogen limit: 12, 11, 11 and 11 mg/L.

Carollo Engineers reported that Solvang’s plant struggles to meet its limits and is “highly unlikely” to do so with Los Olivos wastewater. Carollo recommended waiting for Phase 2 upgrades.

This solution depends upon an upgraded plant and an agreement establishing capacity, rates and Los Olivos’ obligations. No final agreement is public.

Wallace Group estimates the gravity option at $51.18 million, with a high estimate of $59.6 million. Its STEP alternative was approximately $38.64 million.

Wallace, a San Luis Obispo-Santa Barbara-based company, cautions that these are not “all-in” costs.

The Valley Plan Matters

Policy WW-SYV-3 of the Santa Ynez Valley Community Plan, page 123, states that sewer extensions into inner-rural or rural areas “shall not be permitted” unless required to protect public health or prevent harm to environmentally sensitive habitat.

This force main would carry urban sewer infrastructure from Los Olivos through the Santa Ynez Valley’s rural and agricultural corridor to Solvang.

The plan also calls for comparing technologies, identifying where septic upgrades may remain feasible and involving the community in evaluating alternatives.

If Santa Barbara County believes this project qualifies for the exception, produce the written consistency finding and evidence showing why this regional pipeline is required — not merely preferred.

Before invoking one government plan against Los Olivos, explain how the chosen project complies with the Santa Ynez Valley Community Plan protecting it.

I respect Supervisor Hartmann. I take no pleasure in contradicting her. But Los Olivos deserves the complete story.

Release the evidence. Prove the pathway. Compare every solution. Disclose the complete cost.

I do not need to be right. I need us to get this right.