In a recent ruling, the Los Angeles Superior Court denied a legal challenge to block implementation of the Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District’s project to meet state‐mandated chloride (salt) limits on water discharged into the Santa Clara River from its Valencia and Saugus wastewater (sewage) treatment plants.

The ruling enables the SCV Sanitation District to continue construction, stay on its construction schedule to complete the project within regulatory deadlines, and protect Valley ratepayers from fines. Construction of new treatment facilities at the Sanitation District’s two treatment plants is expected to be completed by early 2022.

The upgrades will improve water quality by reducing salts in the treated water and enhance the protection of public health by minimizing disinfection byproducts.

The new sanitation facilities include multiple stages of desalination membranes coupled with an innovative softening system that will minimize the need for chemicals and reduce the amount of brine (salty water byproduct) that must be hauled offsite for disposal.

Existing chlorine‐based disinfection systems will be replaced by ultraviolet light disinfection.

These upgrades are part of a state‐imposed chloride limit compliance plan developed over many years with extensive public input and approved by the SCV Sanitation District’s Board of Directors in 2013.

“Despite legal challenges, we continue to move forward on treatment upgrades,” said Robert C. Ferrante, the chief engineer and general manager of the SCV Sanitation District. “These upgrades will enable us to comply with state requirements and protect our ratepayers from fines.”

The SCV Sanitation District serves the wastewater management needs of the Santa Clarita Valley. The agency protects public health and the environment by constructing, operating and maintaining a regional system that collects, treats and recycles wastewater from homes and businesses. It is one of the county’s sanitation districts.