Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, will hold a town hall meeting Saturday to gather public input on an environmental impact report about chloride – basically, salt that’s discharged into the Santa Clara River.

“This is a complicated and potentially expensive issue that needs to be carefully evaluated,” Wilk said. “I’m committed to finding a solution that is backed by sound science and least costly to Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District ratepayers.”

Information if you’re interested in attending the town hall meeting:

When: Saturday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Where: Santa Clarita Activity Center- 20880 Centre Pointe Parkway

Contact: Erik Richardson: 661-286-1565 if you have any questions

The chloride issue has a long and complicated history in the Santa Clarita Valley, and the compliance measures outlined in the draft EIR will increase the fees for local ratepayers.

It is important that the state, county and city work together to find an effective and affordable solution to reducing chloride levels in the Santa Clara River, according to a statement from Wilk’s office.

This town hall is designed to give community members an opportunity to ask questions or share concerns related to the proposed alternatives.

Assemblyman Wilk will be joined by Assemblyman Steve Fox, and presentations from the Sanitation District, Local Water Agencies and the Santa Clarita Chamber of Commerce.

The city recently asked for a 30-day extension from the Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District in order to

The current deadline of May 4, 2015, does not provide enough time to develop a solution that meets these qualifications, Wilk said.

At a special meeting on chloride levels in May, the Santa Clarita City Council voted unanimously to ask the Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District for an extension on the public comment period — a move district officials have expressed concern over.

On Tuesday, a Sanitation District spokesman said district officials are leary of extending the deadline more than 15 days, because the longer the public comment period lasts, the less time district engineers have to analyze those comments and prepare the EIR.

“To meet the Oct. 31 deadline, we could accommodate a short extension, a week or two — if we’re going to meet that Oct. 31 deadline,” said Basil Hewitt, a Sanitation District senior engineer.

The chloride solutions being proposed by the district could mean a $10- or $20-per-month increase in residential sewer rates; businesses could face much higher expenses, according to district documents.

Sanitation District officials must complete an Environmental Impact Report by Oct. 31, which demonstrates to the state’s Regional Water Quality Control Board how they plan to reduce chloride levels for the SCV’s watershed.

The most recent deadline was created in a deal struck by Sanitation District officials to lower a fine the state levied because the district missed a previous deadline.