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PFAS have been detected in very tiny amounts (parts per trillion) in parts of the Orange County Groundwater Basin managed by the Orange County Water District (OCWD), which provides 85% of the water supply to 2.5 million people. PFAS are a family of chemicals that have been used in a multitude of consumer products. Recent state and federal regulations have placed strict limits on the occurrence of these chemicals in the drinking water supply. OCWD and its local water suppliers continue making significant headway in constructing new treatment facilities to remove PFAS from our groundwater. The estimated cost of addressing PFAS in Orange County over the next 30 years is approximately $1.8 billion.

79,469,929,920

gallons of water

treated to date

*as of 10/31/25

PFAS IMPACTS IN ORANGE COUNTY

============================================================================================================

100+

wells impacted

wells back online

impacted retailers

Federal Updates

Senate Schedules Hearing on PFAS

Save the date: the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will convene a hearing on Wednesday, November 19 to consider the issues surrounding PFAS contamination including cleanups and technology. CERCLA liability is also expected to be a subject of review.

State Updates

State Board Updates Notification and Response Levels

On October 29, 2025, the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water announced new and revised advisory levels for four types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA). Notification and response levels (NL/RL) serve as nonregulatory, health-based guidance values for substances that do not yet have state formal maximum contaminant levels. These advisory levels help water agencies take precautionary actions while the state continues evaluating potential regulatory standards.

The updated NLs and RLs are as follows:

PFOA: Notification level – 4.0 ng/L | Response level – 10 ng/L
PFOS: Notification level – 4.0 ng/L | Response level – 40 ng/L
PFHxS: Notification level – 3.0 ng/L | Response level – 10 ng/L
PFHxA: Notification level – 1.0 mg/L | Response level – 10 mg/L

Advisory levels for PFBS remain at 500 parts per trillion (ppt) NL and 5,000 ppt RL. For additional details, visit the State Water Board’s Notification and Response Levels webpage.

Local Updates

New PFAS Study Launches at Yorba Linda Water District

OCWD’s research & development department, in partnership with Yorba Linda Water District (YLWD), is conducting a PFAS adsorption pilot study at YLWD’s PFAS Treatment Plant in Placentia. The study maintains OCWD’s program of testing treatment media for PFAS removal — evaluating proven, off-the-shelf products alongside newer, emerging materials — to pinpoint best-performing, best-value options water agencies and cities could consider for their treatment systems.

This work is partially funded by The Water Research Foundation and Tucson Water, with in-kind analytical support from the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water. Through continued collaboration with regional partners, OCWD advances practical, forward-looking research that strengthens water reliability and helps keep water safe and affordable for the community.

Millions Secured in PFAS Settlement

The Orange County Water District and 14 local water providers will receive approximately $131 million over eight years from the first phase of its national class action settlements with 3M and DuPont. The settlements, which received final approval from the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, are part of a national Multi-District Litigation. The litigation involves additional PFAS manufacturers and distributors and remains ongoing, so additional settlements are anticipated.

The settlements address claims that the manufacture and distribution of products containing PFAS contributed to impacts on groundwater supplies. The funds will help offset the cost of constructing and operating PFAS treatment systems across north and central Orange County.

Read the Press Release

Orange County Reaches Halfway Mark in PFAS Well Restorations

Orange County has reason to celebrate! Fifty-three wells are now back in service, one half of the 106 total wells impacted by PFAS in north and central Orange County. Among them are wells operated by Irvine Ranch Water District and the City of Orange, which recently held dedication ceremonies upon coming online.

Orange Park Acres Well Number 1, operated by the Irvine Ranch Water District, can purify up to 3,200 GPM.

Well 28, a new drinking water well in the city of Orange provides clean water to 20,000 residents

Make Your Voice Heard!

Orange County Water District has created a platform – through its PFAS Education Center – to help you take action in reaching out to the Orange County federal legislators about the importance of upholding the polluter pays principle and protecting ratepayers from the costs of treating PFAS in our water supplies. You can quickly and easily fill out this form to make your voice heard.

In the News

PFAS are not exclusive to Orange County or even California. States across the country are in the midst of tackling PFAS in consumer products, groundwater supplies and other forms of contact. Here's what's happening around the country:

Resources

SWRCB PFAS Updates

UCI PFAS Health Study

The Orange County Water District (OCWD; the District) supplies clean, reliable drinking water to 2.5 million people every day. OCWD and the local water suppliers in its service area are committed to operating in compliance with all state and federal guidelines and regulatory requirements.

For more information about PFAS, please visit OCWD's PFAS Education Center.