E-Wells PFAS Groundwater Treatment Improvements Project

The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency is undertaking the E-Wells PFAS Groundwater Treatment Improvements Project to construct a centralized treatment facility and associated pipelines for collecting and treating groundwater drawn from Wells E-14, E-15, E-16, and E-17 in Santa Clarita, California. The facility will treat per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to concentrations below the federal Maximum Contaminant Level, enabling the activation of Wells E-14 and E-16 with a combined production capacity of up to 2,400 gallons per minute, while maintaining but not increasing the historical output of the already active Wells E-15 and E-17. This project directly supports the agency’s goals under the Groundwater Sustainability Plan and Urban Water Management Plan by restoring local groundwater use, reducing reliance on imported water supplies, and ensuring long-term water resource resilience. Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2027 and conclude by December 2028, with grading and excavation expected to occur from March to the end of 2027 and drainage, utilities, and sub-grade work following into late 2028. The completed facility will operate continuously, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with routine maintenance including weekly staff visits, bimonthly chemical deliveries, and resin media replacement every four to six months. The project site spans portions of Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 2866-002-061, 3271-030-091, and 2866-003-011, with infrastructure crossing public rights-of-way including Commerce Center Drive, Henry Mayo Drive, The Old Road, and Hancock Parkway. Environmental compliance is a central requirement, mandating the presence of a qualified biologist on-site throughout construction to conduct pre-construction clearance sweeps for nesting birds and special-status species, document observations, recommend protective actions, and submit daily and weekly compliance logs for agency review. Construction crews must adhere to strict best management practices, including a 10-mph speed limit on unpaved areas, fencing or sloping of excavations to prevent wildlife entrapment, daily removal of food waste in sealed containers, prohibitions on feeding wildlife or bringing pets or firearms onto the site, and conducting all equipment maintenance in designated staging areas. Night work requires downward-directed, shielded lighting to minimize light spill, and any incident involving injury or death of