Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency Awards LEE + RO the Contract to Design the Replacement of the Saugus Water Wells #3 + #4

SITUATION
The Whittaker Bermite Corporation was a munitions manufacturer who, from 1934 to 1987, manufactured, stored and tested munitions, explosives, and other military equipment on a 996-acre, undeveloped site in the Santa Clarita Valley. After the closure of the factory, soil and groundwater analysis showed significant perchlorate contamination of local soil and groundwater due to these testing activities. Perchlorate is a primary ingredient in explosives. In 2007 the Castaic Lake Water Agency (now the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency – (SCVWA) sued and was awarded damages as a result of losing 2,500 gpm of groundwater pumping capacity due to perchlorate contamination.

PREVIOUS WORK
In 2015, LEE + RO was retained to perform a feasibility and alternative analysis for the siting and construction of the replacement wells at six different locations in SCVWA’s service area and to determine probable construction costs and direct arbitration assistance on behalf of SCVWA.

In 2019, LEE + RO was retained to update the probable construction costs based on a new favorable well location. The new available well site is located next to Magic Mountain Theme Park. This location dramatically reduces construction costs by eliminating the need to build a costly new raw water pipeline from the wells to the SCVWA’s treatment works due to its proximity to a future turnout of an existing raw water pipeline.

SCOPE OF WORK
LEE + RO has now begun the final design for the equipping of the SCVWA’s replacement wells. This project will equip two wells, Saugus #3 and #4, to pump 2,500 gpm of potable water from a well depth of approximately 2,500 ft below ground surface (bgs). Well equipping design for Saugus #3 and #4 is concurrent with well drilling/construction. Well facilities will include exposed mechanical equipment, weatherproof or enclosed medium and low voltage electrical equipment & networking, onsite chloramine-based disinfection and pump-to-waste connections within a security fence. Construction is expected to be complete in Q3 2022.