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 industries and 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. | | | | |
97,217,140,227
gallons of water
treated to date
*as of 5/31/26
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PFAS IMPACTS IN ORANGE COUNTY
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| | US EPA Updates Its PFAS Regulatory Approach | | |
On May 18, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced proposed changes to its PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) adopted in 2024.The changes were consistent with the policy direction presented publicly by the EPA in 2025 and do not represent a significant change for Orange County water agencies already planning and implementing PFAS treatment projects.
The EPA proposed rescinding the portions of the 2024 NPDWR regulating four PFAS compounds: PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS, and GenX chemicals. The agency will reevaluate the basis for regulating those compounds following a public comment period ending July 20 and a virtual public hearing scheduled for July 7. The NPDWR pertaining to maximum contaminant levels of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS remain unchanged. The agency also proposed a two-year extension for eligible water systems, allowing until 2031 compliance under specific criteria.
EPA’s proposed changes will not affect OCWD’s PFAS policy, treatment program, project timelines, or compliance activities. PFAS treatment systems being installed in Orange County are not only effective at removing PFOA and PFOS, but also the four PFAS compounds proposed for recission from the NPDWR in the EPA’s recent changes. OCWD and water retailers will continue monitoring, testing and treating for PFAS to ensure drinking water remains safe, reliable and protective of public health.
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Agencies Highlight Need for CERCLA Liability Protection | | A broad coalition of local governments, utilities, and public works and environmental organizations is urging Congress to quickly establish targeted liability protections under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) for passive receivers of PFAS. In a letter to the House Energy & Commerce Committee and Senate Environment & Public Works Committee leadership, the groups argue that water utilities, wastewater agencies, solid waste operators, and recyclers are increasingly facing significant legal and financial exposure simply for managing PFAS that enter their systems through lawful, everyday operations. The coalition calls for a solution that shields passive receivers (and thereby ratepayers) from liability while continuing to hold manufacturers and primary contributors responsible, reinforcing CERCLA’s “polluter pays” principle. Among the 45 organizations signing the letter are American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, Water Environment Federation, and WateReuse Association. | | PFAS Funding Recipients Announced | | Orange County Treatment Plants Garner Multiple Accolades | | Protecting drinking water quality takes collaboration, and that collaboration was recently honored by the American Society of Civil Engineers Orange County Chapter when it recognized OCWD and its retail partners with two engineering awards for PFAS treatment projects that help restore impacted groundwater wells. The City of Orange Wells 20, 21, and 22 PFAS Treatment Project received the Outstanding Water Project Award, while the Tustin Main Street PFAS Water Treatment Plant received the Outstanding Water/Wastewater/Recycle Water Treatment Project Award. | | 2026 Outstanding Water/Wastewater/Recycle Water Treatment Project: Tustin Main Street PFAS Water Treatment Plant | | 2026 Outstanding Water Project: City of Orange Wells 20, 21, and 22 PFAS Treatment Project | |
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Grand Jury Issues Report on Orange County PFAS Response
The Orange County Grand Jury recently issued its report, "PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County Drinking Water", which examines how Orange County drinking water agencies have responded to PFAS regulations, the construction progress of PFAS treatment plants, and agencies' public education programs.
Among the report's findings:
- Local agencies have taken a proactive stance, shutting down dozens of impacted wells and building some of the nation's largest treatment facilities to ensure tap water meets safety standards.
- Many Orange County water agencies have demonstrated exceptional leadership in addressing PFAS through large‑scale treatment investments, rigorous monitoring, and public communication.
- Orange County drinking water meets or exceeds state and federal standards and is safe for consumption without additional home filtration.
Based on its investigation, the Grand Jury has recommended six actions, several of which OCWD has already undertaken including enhanced public education and cost recovery litigation against PFAS manufacturers.
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OCWD R&D Department Publishes PFAS Study | | OCWD Director of Research Megan Plumlee and Senior Scientist Meeta Pannu served as principal investigators on a research study demonstrating that well-designed bench-scale testing can reasonably predict full-scale PFAS removal. The report, titled "Reliability of Bench-Scale Testing to Predict Pilot-Scale or Full-Scale PFAS Removal from Groundwater Using IX or Alternative Adsorbents" and published by the Water Research Foundation, will serve as a valuable tool for water agencies looking to implement effective PFAS treatment strategies. | | | |
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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:
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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.
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