On behalf of Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, SSP&A evaluated geochemical data collected from depth-discrete intervals of a Saugus Formation pilot borehole. Project objectives were to review lab reports and evaluate geochemical data quality, analyze changes in groundwater chemistry with depth, evaluate sources and mechanisms of groundwater recharge at the production well location, and estimate groundwater ages.
To support interpretations of the geochemical data, SSP&A reviewed local geology, hydrogeology, and supplemental geochemical data. The geochemical analysis included general water quality, major ion chemistry and water type characterization, evaluation of reduction-oxidation (redox) chemistry, stable oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios, and groundwater age estimations including carbon isotope analysis, tritium, and SF6.
The geochemical analysis revealed that water chemistry was variable with depth and could be categorized into distinct aquifer zones of varying water quality. Chemical differences in the depth-discrete zones reflected differences in groundwater residence times and recharge sources.
Results of the geochemical analysis informed an ongoing production well installation program.
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