Drinking water quality · 2024
· Verified
What's in Fullerton, CA tap water
45 contaminants were measured in the Fullerton, CA water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 4 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 45
- Over federal limit
- 4
- Approaching the limit
- 1
- Worst contaminant
- Specific Conductance
- Service area
- CA
- Specific ConductancePhysical & aggregate · Average996limit 1 · 996.0× the limit
- Total Dissolved SolidsPhysical & aggregate · Average632 mg/Llimit 1 mg/L · 632.0× the limit
- PFOAPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Average5.2 ng/Llimit 5.1 ng/L · 1.0× the limit
- Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPFAS ("forever chemicals") · Average3 ng/Llimit 3 ng/L · 1.0× the limit
PFAS — EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025)
2 PFAS compounds above EPA limits in Fullerton, CA
The EPA finalized the first-ever federal drinking-water limits for six PFAS compounds in April 2024. These numbers come straight from EPA's UCMR5 lab dataset — every U.S. system serving more than 3,300 people tested every PFAS sample at an entry point to its distribution system. PFAS not listed below were either tested and not detected, or not yet sampled.
PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid)
● Over EPA limit (3.3×)near national p90 (19.900000000000006 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)
● Over EPA limit (2.7×)near national p90 (13.649999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid)
● Below limitnear national p90 (12.049999999999997 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFBA
● Detected (no federal limit)below national p90 (18 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHxA
● Detected (no federal limit)above national p90 (12.190000000000003 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFBS
● Detected (no federal limit)near national p90 (13.909999999999979 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHpA
● Detected (no federal limit)near national p90 (9.309999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFPeA
● Detected (no federal limit)near national p90 (15.95999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
Lithium
● Detected (no federal limit)below national p90 (76.59999999999991 mg/L across detecting U.S. systems)
Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS
Fullerton, CA's drinking water comes from ground water, drawn from 7 sources.
Source
- WELL · 2
- KIMBERLY · 2
- SUNCLIPSE
- CHRISTLIEB
- + 1 more
Treatment
- MAIN PLANT PFAS TREATMENT FACILITY
- KIMBERLY 02 CHLORINATION XCLD
- SUNCLIPSE 10 CHLORINATION XCLD
- + 4 more
Distribution
Also buys water from METROPOLITAN WATER DIST. OF SO. CAL., SUBURBAN WATER SYSTEMS-LA MIRADA, and 3 more.
Historical readings · EPA Six-Year Review (2012–2019)
19 historically-detected contaminants in Fullerton, CA
Every U.S. public water system reports compliance-monitoring data to EPA. The Six-Year Review releases the 2012–2019 window as a single dataset — here's what your system reported, year by year. Values shown are the highest detection per analyte per year, compared to the federal MCL.
| Contaminant | Worst detection | EPA limit | Years (2012–2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
PCE worst: 2014 | 0.004 mg/L 80% | 0.005 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
TTHM worst: 2012 | 0.0556 mg/L within | 0.08 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
NITRATE worst: 2014 | 5.58 mg/L within | 10 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
NITRATE NITRITE worst: 2019 | 5.25 mg/L within | 10 mg/L | '15'16'17'18'19 |
TCE worst: 2012 | 0.0025 mg/L within | 0.005 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
HAA5 worst: 2013 | 0.0264 mg/L within | 0.06 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DICHLOROETHYLENE 11 worst: 2013 | 0.0018 mg/L within below national p90 | 0.007 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18 |
SELENIUM worst: 2019 | 0.0103 mg/L within | 0.05 mg/L | '13'16'19 |
ARSENIC worst: 2019 | 0.002 mg/L within below national p90 | 0.01 mg/L | '19 |
FLUORIDE worst: 2019 | 0.65 mg/L within | 4 mg/L | '13'16'19 |
URANIUM worst: 2018 | 0.0174 ug/L within near national p90 | 30 ug/L | '14'18 |
DBAA worst: 2012 | 0.0045 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DCAA worst: 2012 | 0.0129 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
MCAA worst: 2019 | 0.00704 mg/L | — | '19 |
TCAA worst: 2012 | 0.00724 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMODICHLOROMETHANE worst: 2012 | 0.0183 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMOFORM worst: 2012 | 0.0054 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
CHLOROFORM worst: 2012 | 0.0215 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE worst: 2012 | 0.0165 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content. | 996AverageWeymouth | 1MCL | At or above the limit |
| Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts. | 632 mg/LAverageWeymouth | 1 mg/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| OdorA measure of detectable smell in the water. | 1AverageDiemer | 3MCL | Within the limit |
| ColorA measure of visible tint in the water. | 2AverageDiemer | 15MCL | Within the limit |
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.13 NTUAverageAverage Amount | 5 NTUMCL | Within the limit |
| AlkalinityA measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids. | 139 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Bicarbonate | 168 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. | 272 mg/LAverageWeymouth | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| pHA measure of how acidic or basic the water is. | 8.2AverageDiemer | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 2.4 mg/LAverageDiemer | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. | 93 ug/LAverageWeymouth | 200 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| BoronA naturally occurring element from rock and soil. | 0.18 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | 1 mg/LNL | Within the limit |
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.19 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap | 1.3 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.124 mg/LAverageWeymouth | 1 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium. | 0.44 ug/LAverageAverage Amount | 10 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | Not detected ug/L90th percentileAt the tap | 15 ug/LAction level | None detected |
| CalciumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 71 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| MagnesiumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 26 mg/LAverageWeymouth | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| PotassiumA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 5 mg/LAverageWeymouth | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 105 mg/LAverageWeymouth | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Inorganic chemicals
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 1.17 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| BromateA disinfection byproduct formed when bromide-containing water is treated with ozone. | 2 ug/LAverageWeymouth | 10 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| PerchlorateA chemical used in rocket fuel and fireworks that can also form during disinfection. | Not detected ug/LAverageAverage Amount | 6 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Beta Particle ActivityGross beta particle activity — a combined measure of beta-emitting radioactive substances. | 4 pCi/LAverageDiemer | 50 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | Not detected pCi/LAverageWeymouth | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
VOCs & pesticides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TetrachloroethyleneAn industrial solvent (PCE) used in dry cleaning and degreasing. | Not detected ug/LAverageAverage Amount | 5 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| TrichloroethyleneAn industrial solvent (TCE) used in metal degreasing. | Not detected ug/LAverageAverage Amount | 5 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
People also ask about Fullerton, CA's water
+Is Fullerton, CA tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the Fullerton, CA water utility lists 4 contaminants at or above the federal limit: Specific Conductance, Total Dissolved Solids, PFOA, and Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid. Whether that means the water is "unsafe" depends on which contaminant, how long the exposure, and individual health factors. The table on this page shows the measured value, the federal threshold, and the regulated statistic used for compliance.
+What contaminants are in Fullerton, CA tap water?
45 contaminants were measured in Fullerton, CA's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, physical & aggregate, and pfas ("forever chemicals"). 31 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Which contaminants exceed federal limits in Fullerton, CA tap water?
4 contaminants in Fullerton, CA's 2024 report sit at or above the federal limit: Specific Conductance (996.0× the limit); Total Dissolved Solids (632.0× the limit); PFOA (1.0× the limit); Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (1.0× the limit). The EPA enforces these limits against the regulated reporting statistic — typically a running annual average or 90th percentile — not a one-off sample spike.
+What is the worst contaminant in Fullerton, CA tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 report is Specific Conductance, at 996.0× the federal threshold. It belongs to the physical & aggregate family of contaminants.
+Are any contaminants in Fullerton, CA tap water approaching the federal limit?
One contaminant is between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: PFOS. Approaching means measured but not in violation — a margin that can close quickly if conditions change.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Fullerton, CA's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. public water utility is required by federal law to publish. The original source document is archived and viewable on this site. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
+How often is Fullerton, CA's water quality data updated?
Each U.S. public water utility publishes one Consumer Confidence Report per year, covering the prior calendar year's measurements. This page reflects the 2024 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.