In January 2021, The Santa Clarita Water Agency, (SCV Water) announced that they would be seeking public opinion and comments on how to remove hazardous materials from local water wells. 

After an initial 30-day period of public comment, SCV Water has come to a conclusion for a short-term plan for solving the issue of pollutants in four production wells under active pumping conditions. 

“SCV Water’s top priority is to ensure the Santa Clarita Valley has reliable supplies of wholesome, high-quality water. The Agency is keeping its water safe for drinking water consumption through minimizing and mitigating the public health and environmental effects of hazardous substances that have been identified in the Saugus Formation Aquifer,” stated SCV Water officials. 

An Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) and a Community Involvement Plan (CIP) have been available for public viewing since January, and now SCV Water has drafted an Action Memo detailing the background information for the issue as well as proposed remedial actions and their associated costs.

See Related: SCV Water Seeks Input On Removal Of Hazardous Material In Water Wells

The EE/CA has detailed five proposed action plans for the threat posed by perchlorate and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in the groundwater. These compounds were originally detected in the Santa Clarita Valley in 1997, and SCV Water and its predecessors have been working towards long-term and short-term solutions since then, according to officials. 

After review from the public, SCV Water has chosen to go through groundwater treatment of perchlorate and VOCs, according to officials. 

“SCV Water considers it important to implement a removal action to prevent, minimize and mitigate damage to public health, welfare and the environment,” said SCV Water officials.

The EE/CA describes in fuller detail the condition of the groundwater containing perchlorate and VOCs in the four production wells (Saugus 1 and 2, V-201, and V-205). These tests have ensured that the water from these wells satisfies the drinking water standards set by the California State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water. 

According to SCV Water officials, a future response may be necessary to address the source of these hazardous pollutants in the Saugus Formation and the migration pathways between the sources and SCV Water’s production wells. 

SCV Water has prepared this EE/CA in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). This is to enhance their ability to recover costs from parties responsible for the perchlorate detected in the production wells. 

The new Action Memo and the EECA and CIP are available to view, by clicking here.  

To view SCV Water’s website and access more information, click here. 

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