San Bernardino Valley, Fontana Water Company and Cadiz Partner to Install Perchlorate Treatment in Cactus Basins to Protect Local Groundwater
San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, Fontana Water Company and Cadiz’s ATEC Water Systems will install perchlorate treatment systems in the Cactus Basins to protect the Rialto-Colton Groundwater Basin, bolster groundwater storage and secure local water supplies.
- Partnership: Valley District, Fontana Water Company (FWC) and Cadiz Inc. (ATEC Water Systems) agreed to deploy perchlorate treatment in the Cactus Basins. Sources: Benzinga, GuruFocus, StockTitan.
- Objective: Install specialized perchlorate filtration at FWC sites to prevent contaminant migration during recharge and support increased groundwater banking.
- Context: The treatment complements a larger 2024 agreement between FWC and Cadiz covering up to 200,000 acre-feet of water supply.
- Oversight needs: Monitoring, public reporting and permitting details remain to be defined; residents should watch agency meetings and published results.
What the agreement covers
Background and legacy contamination
Perchlorate is a chemical historically used in rocket propellant, explosives and some industrial processes. It has been detected in parts of the Rialto-Colton Groundwater Basin — a key water source beneath portions of the Inland Empire — and can interfere with thyroid function, making treatment a public health priority. Sources: Benzinga, StockTitan.
Role of the Cactus Basins Recharge Program
The Cactus Basins Recharge Program aims to expand groundwater banking — capturing water when available, storing it underground and withdrawing it later. While recharge increases local supply reliability and reduces reliance on imported water, it can also alter groundwater flow and risk mobilizing contaminants if not managed. This agreement ensures perchlorate treatment is integrated into recharge planning. Sources: Benzinga, StockTitan.
How the treatment will work
Cadiz’s ATEC Water Systems will supply specialized filtration units designed to remove perchlorate. These systems will be installed and operated at Fontana Water Company facilities to treat water prior to recharge or integration into local supplies, aiming to reduce perchlorate migration during recharge operations. Sources: Benzinga, StockTitan.
Statements from leaders
Heather Dyer, CEO and General Manager of San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, said: “The Cactus Basins Recharge Program is a critical part of our plan to enhance water supply reliability for San Bernardino Valley… exploring opportunities offered through this unique public-private partnership could address legacy perchlorate contamination while also providing critical groundwater supply benefits to the communities depending on the Rialto-Colton Groundwater Basin.”
Cadiz’s role and assets
Cadiz Inc. owns substantial land and water rights in California and operates ATEC Water Systems. The company reports ownership of roughly 45,000 acres and claims 2.5 million acre-feet of water supply rights, positioning its treatment and pipeline capabilities as part of a broader local water solution. Source: StockTitan.
How this ties to the 200,000 acre-foot agreement
The perchlorate treatment commitment accompanies a 2024 supply agreement between Fontana Water Company and Cadiz covering up to 200,000 acre-feet of water. The new treatment plan represents a concrete step toward implementing the broader commitments on groundwater storage and local supply reliability. Sources: Benzinga, StockTitan.
Oversight and monitoring needs
Local officials emphasize that preventing perchlorate migration requires clear monitoring plans, routine public reporting and coordination with state water authorities. The announced agreement highlights technology and partnership; however, stakeholders will expect details on monitoring protocols, maintenance schedules and traceability of treated water into local supplies. Sources: Benzinga, StockTitan.
Funding and operations
Public releases do not provide full details on project costs, timelines, or which party will bear ongoing operating expenses. The announcement centers on technology provision and partnership framework; expect follow-up disclosures addressing funding, permitting and long-term operational responsibility. Sources: Benzinga, StockTitan, GuruFocus.
Implications for the Inland Empire, California
Economic and water supply impacts
The agreement could strengthen Fontana’s local supply reliability by pairing treatment with increased groundwater storage, reducing emergency imports and helping stabilize rates. The broader 200,000 acre-foot framework may spur investment and create jobs related to construction, operations and monitoring. Sources: Benzinga, StockTitan.
Public health and environmental outcomes
On-site perchlorate treatment near recharge areas can reduce the risk that recharge operations mobilize contamination into active supplies — a direct public health benefit for communities drawing from the Rialto-Colton Basin. Visible treatment and monitoring can improve control over water quality prior to distribution. Sources: Benzinga, StockTitan.
Political and regulatory consequences
This public-private partnership will likely drive increased engagement among local agencies, state regulators and community groups. Elected officials may highlight the deal as a move toward local water control, while regulators will expect documented monitoring, compliance and permitting. Sources: Benzinga, StockTitan, GuruFocus.
Practical effects for residents
Residents in Fontana and nearby Inland Empire communities can expect increased assurance that groundwater will meet safety standards as recharge expands. Agencies should provide public updates on installation timelines, testing results and operational changes; transparent reporting will be crucial to building trust. Sources: Benzinga, StockTitan.
Next steps and what to watch
Moving from agreement to action requires detailed planning, permits and equipment installation. Watch local news, agency meetings and public reports for:
- Installation timelines and operational schedules
- Monitoring results and public reporting cadence
- State agency reviews clarifying long-term responsibility for treatment and maintenance
Sources: Benzinga, StockTitan, GuruFocus.
References and source links
Original reporting and company releases cited in this article:
- Benzinga (press release)
- GuruFocus (news summary)
- StockTitan (company/news aggregation)
