The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering tripling the maximum allowed contamination of perchlorate, a potentially cancerous chemical, in water, but local water officials say Santa Clarita would not be impacted, officials said Monday.

There are drinking water standards at both the federal and state levels. In California, water is held to the state standard of .006 mg/L, which is lower than any of the proposed EPA options, according to Kathie Martin, public information officer for the Santa Clarita Water Agency (SCV Water).

“Our customers can expect the same quality standards we always provide,” Martin said.

The announcement comes weeks after the SCV Water Q2 Well was voluntarily shut down due to perchlorate levels reaching the maximum levels allowed in the water supply.

What is Perchlorate?

Perchlorate is commonly used in solid rocket propellants, munitions, fireworks, airbag initiators for vehicles, matches and signal flares, according to the EPA.

In 2011, the EPA decided that perchlorate meets the Safe Drinking Water Act criteria for regulation as a contaminant, as the agency found that perchlorate may have an adverse effect on people’s health and is known to occur in public drinking water systems at levels that present a public health concern.

The chemical is found in Santa Clarita water due to Whittaker Bermite — a facility which started making dynamite in the 1930s, moving onto fireworks and oil field explosives, according to City of Santa Clarita officials.

See Related: SCV Water Shuts Down A Well After Detection Of Perchlorate

Since first detected in groundwater wells in the Santa Clarita Valley in 1997, the predecessors to the new SCV Water have worked with state environmental and health regulators to address the perchlorate problem.

This includes seeking reimbursement for groundwater cleanup and replacement water supply costs from responsible parties, the Whittaker Corporation and its insurers, according to SCV Water.

The clean-up of the soil is expected to be completed prior to 2020, but the groundwater clean-up could take more than 20 years, according to City officials.

The Perchlorate Proposal

The EPA is seeking input on a proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for perchlorate to establish a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL).

In 2007, California set a safety standard of 6 micrograms per liter, the second lowest in the country behind Massachusetts, according to SCV Water.

The agency is considering changing the maximum level of perchlorate in drinking water and a health-based Maximum Contaminant Level Goal at 56 micrograms per liter.

In addition, the agency is seeking comment on alternative regulatory options, which includes 18 mcg/L and 90 mcg/L, according to the EPA.

These proposed guidelines are over 10 times the current limit in California — 6 micrograms per liter.

The public comment period is expected to close on July 23, according to the EPA

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