The State Water Resources Quality Control Board recently approved an amendment to the Los Angeles Water Quality Control Plan to incorporate Salt and Nutrient Management Measures for the Upper Santa Clara River Basin in Santa Clarita.

The measures are a part of a Salt and Nutrient Management Plan (SNMP) which has been under development for the past six years. The amendment passed on May 16.

In 2009, the State Water Resources Control Board established the Recycled Water Policy, which recognizes the potential for increased salt and nutrient loading into groundwater basins as a result of increased recycled water use.

Incorporating these measures is a significant step to facilitate the implementation of planned recycled water and other projects in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The Upper Santa Clara River Basin underlies the SCV, and includes two aquifers used for groundwater production: the Alluvial Aquifer and the Saugus Formation.

Incorporating the salt and nutrient management measures into the Basin Plan will expedite the permitting process for recycled water projects. It will facilitate future recycled water projects, including projects currently being jointly pursued by CLWA and the water retailers.

The SNMP determines whether water quality levels of various salts and nutrients in the basin by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board are protective of beneficial uses such as drinking water supplies, landscape irrigation and industrial uses.

Additionally, it determines assimilative capacity to add additional salts and nutrients while remaining within basin standards.

 The optimal use of recycled water is as part of planned, long‐term water supply for the Santa Clarita Valley.

The Castaic Lake Water Agency, Newhall County Water District, Santa Clarita Water Division and Valencia Water Company jointly prepared the 2015 Urban Water Management Plan that foresees recycled water supplies increasing from 450 acre-feet per year to about 10,000 acre-feet per year.

Ed. Note: This information was taken from a news release provided by the Castaic Lake Water Agency.