Groundwater Restoration
Groundwater Restoration
Importance of Groundwater in the SCV
Held in the gravel, sand, clay, and silt underground, groundwater can be found between 200 and 2000 feet beneath the Santa Clarita Valley and is accessed through wells. Groundwater makes up about 38 percent of the total water supply in California and, in the Santa Clarita Valley, it is half of our water supply during an average year.
Groundwater is local, sustainable and cost-effective. It is an essential and reliable source of our drinking water supply during droughts, when imported State Water Project water supplies may be less available.
Groundwater Sources
Our groundwater supplies come from two sources within the Santa Clara River Valley East Subbasin, which lies directly under the Santa Clarita Valley:
- The Alluvium Aquifer generally underlies the Santa Clara River and its tributaries to maximum depths of about 200 feet.
- The Saugus Formation underlies practically the entire Upper Santa Clara River area to depths of up to 2,000 feet and is separated from the Alluvial Aquifer by an impermeable layer of clay.
To learn more about the Santa Clara River Valley East Subbasin, visit the SCV Groundwater Sustainability Agency’s website.
SCV Water operates a system of 47 wells pumping groundwater into our distribution system to serve our customers. Since 1997, various wells have been shut off due to the detection of certain chemicals; however, an ongoing investment into treatment facilities is restoring this local and affordable water source.
Factors that Affect Groundwater Availability
- Having sufficient infrastructure capacity.
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Through a robust Capital Improvement Program, proactive, predictive and preventative maintenance program and a comprehensive Water System Master Plan, SCV Water provides sufficient infrastructure capacity.
- Ensuring groundwater resources can sustainably meet pumping demands without depletion.
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Visit the SCV Groundwater Sustainability Agency website to learn more.
- Protecting groundwater wells from contamination and ensuring treatment options are available if contamination occurs.
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Read on to learn about SCV Water’s Groundwater Basin Restoration Program.
SCV Water's Groundwater Basin Restoration Program
SCV Water has been working since 1997 to address groundwater contamination in the Santa Clarita Valley. The Groundwater Basin Restoration Program was developed to restore impacted groundwater supplies to beneficial use for the Valley. In 1997, the initial contaminant of concern was perchlorate, but since has been expanded to include additional contaminants, including VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in 2010, and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in 2019.
Contaminants of Concern
| Perchlorate | VOCs | PFAS |
|---|---|---|
|
Perchlorate is a component of solid rocket fuel, munitions, fireworks, flares, and other explosive-type materials. |
VOCs encompass a very broad category of chemicals, both human-made and naturally occurring compounds, which can be found in many forms in the environment. |
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in a variety of industries worldwide for more than 70 years. |
| These contaminants have been found on the Whittaker-Bermite property which is located near the center of the Santa Clarita Valley and sits within the Saugus Formation Aquifer. | PFAS are found in many everyday products, including nonstick cookware, shampoo, firefighting foam, clothing, and cleaning supplies. They enter the environment through manufacturing, product use, and wastewater discharge. | |
| Learn about SCV Water's Perchlorate and VOC Remediation Efforts | Learn about SCV Water's PFAS Remediation Efforts | |
Program Funding, Community Engagement, and Response Efforts
- How has the Groundwater Basin Restoration Program been funded?
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Contamination removal efforts have been funded by the federal government, state government, SCV Water and its predecessor agencies, as well as proceeds from a Settlement Agreement that stemmed from litigation SCV Water filed against Whittaker Corporation, Whittaker’s insurers, and the site’s landowners.
- How has the community been involved in the groundwater remediation process?
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As an important part of the groundwater remediation process, SCV Water has engaged members of the community in conceptual discussions, milestones, and preliminary planning stages of the Program. Dating back to 1998, the community of Santa Clarita formed a Citizens Advisory Group in accordance with state law, and with the participation and guidance of the California Department of Toxic Substance Control. Since then, many surveys, meetings, interviews, and public hearings have been held. Outreach includes communications to individuals, organizations, government agencies and officials.
More information can be found by visiting our Water Quality Notifications webpage.
- Response Efforts: What is the Comprehensive Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)?
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The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund, is an environmental law enacted in 1980. It establishes processes for response actions, enforces accountability for potentially responsible parties, and promotes community involvement and long-term protectiveness.
SCV Water’s Groundwater Basin Restoration Program will result in a CERCLA-quality groundwater cleanup that will protect human health and the environment and restore the beneficial use of the Saugus Formation as a natural resource.
More information can be found by visiting our Water Quality Notifications webpage.
The Path Forward
SCV Water’s Groundwater Basin Restoration Program is taking an accelerated approach to address the contamination. Much of the work has been completed, but more work still lies ahead. The support and cooperation from the community, local leaders, regulatory agencies and the efforts put forth by SCV Water have led to a comprehensive approach to restore this vital groundwater resource and ensure that SCV Water customers continue to enjoy a safe, affordable, and sustainable source of drinking water.
