El Estero Rebrand (Creative)

K&A worked with the City of Santa Barbara’s Water Resources Division Wastewater System to increase the level and quality of effective communication with the public regarding wastewater and its treatment, uses, and environmental significance to the City. Beginning in 2018, the City of Santa Barbara’s Wastewater Department launched a staff-driven process to rebrand the wastewater treatment plant as the hub of environmental protection, resource recovery and innovation.

K&A’s communication and graphic design team led a series of internal workshops with all members of the department to capture their perceptions about and visions for this facility that they called “the most important building in Santa Barbara.” The result was a name and brand that acknowledges the City’s rich history and unique culture, while also focusing on the next chapter for Santa Barbara’s wastewater system.

With a brand in place, we coordinated a rebrand launch, media day and tour of the facility to highlight the innovation and improvements to the system, and the importance of the facility to resilience and sustainability moving forward. K&A helped the Division ensure public information and communication was on-message, on-brand, and aligned with the goals and desires of the community.