Perchlorate background
and general information

What is perchlorate?

Perchlorate (ClO4-) is both a natural and a man-made salt that recently has been found in groundwater in Santa Clara County. Perchlorate is primarily used as an oxidizer in solid fuels for rockets and missiles. Other uses include the production of highway safety flares, fireworks, matches, dyes, lubricating oils, air bag inflators, paints, electroplating and medical specialty tests.

• Perchlorate Frequently Asked Questions: Overview
  PDF 250KB (updated June 2006)
  
  
• Frequently Asked Questions: Bottled water distribution PDF 173 KB (updated June 2006)
  
  
• Frequently Asked Questions: Perchlorate and drinking water safety PDF 450 KB (updated June 2006)
  
  
• Perchlorate fact sheet
  PDF 967 KB (updated June 2006)

• Frequently asked questions:
  Perchlorate and drinking water safety guidelines
  (PDF 427KB)

• March 12, 2004 water district "Open Letter" re:
  perchlorate public health goal and drinking water
  (PDF 73 KB)

• RWQCB April 29, 2004 order to Olin re:
  Public Health Goal and bottled water deliveries
  (PDF 149 KB)
  

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