Perchlorate and VOCs
Perchlorate and VOCs
Addressing Contaminants of Concern in the Santa Clarita Valley
Our top priority is providing safe, reliable water that meets all state and federal drinking water standards. We are dedicated to keeping our customers informed about efforts to protect their water supply from contaminants of concern and our efforts to restore affected supplies using proven, reliable treatment methods.
In the Santa Clarita Valley, key contaminants of concern include perchlorate and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Our skilled, customer-focused, team takes pride in delivering water that is rigorously monitored and tested for quality and safety.
Current Status of Perchlorate and VOCs in the SCV
As of 2025, perchlorate and the volatile organic compounds (VOC) Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) have been detected in SCV Water drinking water wells and are still found on the Whittaker-Bermite property that sits above the Saugus Formation Aquifer.
Perchlorate is a component of solid rocket fuel, munitions, fireworks, flares, and other explosive-type materials. It affects public health by restricting the thyroid gland's ability to make essential hormones.
Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and VOCs are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production. The VOCs TCE and/or PCE have been detected in several groundwater wells. Long-term exposure may damage the liver and can increase the risk of cancer.
SCV Water has partnered with the California State Water Resources Control Board-Division of Drinking Water (DDW) to monitor affected wells and ensure VOC levels in the distribution system meet DDWs goal of non-detection.
Additionally, SCV Water continues to install wellhead treatment and build treatment plants to remove perchlorate and VOCs from groundwater supplies.
History of Perchlorate and VOCs in the SCV
Perchlorate was first detected in groundwater wells in the Santa Clarita Valley in 1997, spreading from the former Whittaker-Bermite munitions site located south of Soledad Canyon Road and east of Railroad Avenue. The contamination occurred due to the improper storage, handling and disposal of perchlorate waste, which leaked into the groundwater and contaminated the wells.
Additionally, large volumes of a volatile organic compounds (VOC), including Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Tetrachloroethylene (PCE), were disposed of at the Whittaker-Bermite Site.
SCV Water and its predecessors (formerly Newhall County Water District, Santa Clarita Water Division, Valencia Water Company and Castaic Lake Water Agency) have worked diligently with state environmental and health regulators to address the contamination, pursue treatment, and payment from the Whittaker Corporation and its insurers. This includes seeking reimbursement for groundwater cleanup and replacement water supply costs.
In 2007, SCV Water received a Settlement Agreement from the current and former Whittaker-Bermite property owners for perchlorate contamination remediation. The defendants paid $5 million for the construction of a perchlorate treatment plant and $14 million for the associated pipelines.
In August 2018, SCV Water filed suit against the likely source for the VOC contamination of wells Saugus 1 and 2, V-201 and V-205, as identified after a 2015 investigation. Following trial, a jury provided an award of approximately $66 million to SCV Water to help cover costs of installation and operation of VOC remediation. As of January 2025, the jury verdict is still being appealed.
SCV Water continues to design, construct, and work with the Department of Drinking Water to permit perchlorate and VOC treatment facilities.
Resources
- Whitaker-Bermite Information website maintained by the City of Santa Clarita.
- Consumer Confidence Report - A snapshot of the quality of local water supplies in the Santa Clarita Valley.
- Understanding Water Quality - Learn more about water quality within the SCV.
