WATER NPDES REPORTS

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NPDES FAQ

The SSFL’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit is administered by the Los Angeles Water Board. The permit determines how much water pollution from the SSFL can enter the local waterways. Boeing can be fined for “exceedances,” the amounts of pollution above the NPDES permit limitations. The permit is renewed approximately every five years.

2025 NPDES Report

Contaminants detected in local waterways from SSFL water pollution, 2025

  • Pending release of first quarter report of 2025

2024 NPDES Report

Summary of contaminants detected in local waterways from SSFL water pollution:

  • MetaMetals/Metalloids:

    • Lead (detected at 200 ppb; safe drinking water limits for lead are 5 ppb), Aluminum, Mercury

  • Inorganic Compounds: Sulfate

  • Toxic chemicals:

    • PBCs detected over 40 times, PFA substances detected 38 times, PFA substances, Dioxins (TCDD) toxic equivalent (TEQ)

  • Radioactive material:

    • Gross alpha analytes, Gross beta analytes, Radium-226 & 228, Strontium-90, Uranium

  • Water Quality:

    • pH, E. Coli

2023 NPDES Report

Summary of contaminants detected in local waterways from SSFL water pollution:

  • Metals/Metalloids: Iron, lead, and manganese

  • Toxic chemicals: Bis(2-Ethylhexyl)phthalate, Doxins (TCDD) Toxic Equivalent (TEQ), 4,4-DDE,

  • Radioactive material: Gross alpha

2022 NPDES Report

Summary of contaminants detected in local waterways from SSFL water pollution:

  • No exceedances in the last three quarters due to insufficient rain. Results from first quarter below.

  • Metals/Metalloids: Iron

  • Water Quality: E. coli

2021 NPDES Report

Summary of contaminants detected in local waterways from SSFL water pollution:

  • Metals/Metalloids: Manganese, iron, copper

  • Toxic chemicals: Doxins (TCDD) Toxic Equivalent (TEQ), dieldrin, 4,4-DDE,

  • Water Quality: chronic toxicity, E. coli, biochemical oxygen demand

2020 NPDES Report

Summary of contaminants detected in local waterways from SSFL water pollution:

  • Metals/Metalloids: Iron, manganese

  • Toxic chemicals: Doxins (TCDD) Toxic Equivalent (TEQ)

  • Water Quality: E. coli

2019 NPDES Reports

Summary of contaminants detected in local waterways from SSFL water pollution:

  • Metals/Metalloids: Lead, iron, manganese, arsenic, copper, zinc, nickel,

  • Inorganic compounds: nitrate-N, nitrate+ nitrite as Nitrogen (N), sulfate,

  • Radioactive material: Gross alpha

  • Toxic chemicals: Doxins (TCDD) Toxic Equivalent (TEQ)

  • Water Quality: E. coli, pH

NOTE: 2019 reflects water pollutions from the Woolsey Fire, which made contamination from the site more mobile- hence another reason why we need a complete cleanup!

NPDES Reports

2006 - 2018

Summary of contaminants detected in local waterways from SSFL water pollution:

  • Metals/Metalloids: Lead, copper, iron, manganese, zinc, selenium, chromium,

  • Inorganic compounds: Cyanide

  • Radioactive material: Gross alpha

  • Toxic chemicals: Doxins (TCDD) Toxic Equivalent (TEQ)

  • Water Quality: E. coli, chronic toxicity, pH, fecal coliform

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