Drinking water quality · 2023
· Verified
What's in City of Huntington Beach, CA tap water
113 contaminants were measured in the City of Huntington Beach, CA water system's 2023 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit.
- Reporting year
- 2023
- Contaminants measured
- 113
- Over federal limit
- 0
- Approaching the limit
- 0
- Service area
- CA
state-level CCR
PFAS — EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025)
1 PFAS compound above EPA limits in City of Huntington Beach, 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 (1.5×)Measured 6.1 ng/LEPA limit 4 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 2 detect / 4
below national p90 (19.900000000000006 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid)
● Below limitMeasured 3.3 ng/LEPA limit 10 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 1 detect / 4
below national p90 (12.049999999999997 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
Lithium
● Detected (no federal limit)Measured 36 mg/LSample year 2023Samples 3 detect / 10
below national p90 (76.59999999999991 mg/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PWSID CA3010053 · Source: EPA UCMR5. Limits per EPA's April 2024 PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation. PFAS values reported in nanograms per liter (ng/L) — note that 1 ng/L = 1 part per trillion.
Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS
City of Huntington Beach, CA's drinking water comes from ground water, drawn from 9 sources.
Source
9ground water
- WELL · 9
Treatment
16treatment plants
- EDWARD HILLS RESERVOIR CHLORINATOR
- OC-9 FLUORIDATION FACILITY
- OC-35 FLUORIDATION FACILITY
- + 13 more
Distribution
4storage units
Also buys water from METROPOLITAN WATER DIST. OF SO. CAL., CITY OF SEAL BEACH, and 2 more.
Source: EPA SDWIS facilities inventory. Methodology.
Historical readings · EPA Six-Year Review (2012–2019)
15 historically-detected contaminants in City of Huntington Beach, 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
TTHM worst: 2019 | 0.075 mg/L 94% | 0.08 mg/L | '13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
HAA5 worst: 2017 | 0.0359 mg/L within | 0.06 mg/L | '13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
NITRATE NITRITE worst: 2016 | 3.59 mg/L within | 10 mg/L | '16'17'18'19 |
NITRATE worst: 2016 | 3.56 mg/L within | 10 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
ARSENIC worst: 2012 | 0.0026 mg/L within below national p90 | 0.01 mg/L | '12'13'17 |
FLUORIDE worst: 2019 | 0.9 mg/L within | 4 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BARIUM worst: 2012 | 0.145 mg/L within near national p90 | 2 mg/L | '12'17 |
URANIUM worst: 2014 | 0.0113 ug/L within near national p90 | 30 ug/L | '14'15 |
DBAA worst: 2013 | 0.00746 mg/L | — | '13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DCAA worst: 2013 | 0.0127 mg/L | — | '13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
TCAA worst: 2013 | 0.00965 mg/L | — | '13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMODICHLOROMETHANE worst: 2013 | 0.0168 mg/L | — | '13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMOFORM worst: 2013 | 0.0106 mg/L | — | '13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
CHLOROFORM worst: 2013 | 0.0189 mg/L | — | '13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE worst: 2013 | 0.0202 mg/L | — | '13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
PWSID CA3010053 · Source: EPA Six-Year Review 4 (2012–2019). Values are the highest detection in each calendar year; non-detect years are omitted. Year tags above show every year with a detection.
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | 35 UG/LAverageSource water | 50 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| IronA naturally occurring metal common in groundwater. | 18.811111111111114 UG/LAverageSource water | 300 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| SeleniumA trace element from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 1.511111111111111 UG/LAverageSource water | 50 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| NickelA metal from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 1.2333333333333334 UG/LAverageSource water | 100 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. | 2.966666666666667 UG/LAverageSource water | 1000 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 1.1222222222222222 UG/LAverageSource water | 1000 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| ZincA naturally occurring metal that can also enter water from corroding pipes. | 3.855555555555556 UG/LAverageSource water | 5000 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Antimony | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 6 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Beryllium | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 4 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Cadmium | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| MercuryA toxic metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial runoff. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 2 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Thallium | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 2 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| BoronA naturally occurring element from rock and soil. | 34.230817307692305 UG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| CalciumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 39.652499999999996 MG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium. | 0.266 UG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | 0.8111111111111111 UG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| MagnesiumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 8.965384615384615 MG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| PotassiumA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 2.7115384615384617 MG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 53.57692307692308 MG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Vanadium | 2.8333333333333335 UG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | 5.975 PCI/LAverageSource water | 15 PCI/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Combined RadiumCombined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements. | Not detected PCI/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content. | 632.15625 UMHO/CMAverageSource water | 1600 UMHO/CMMCL | Within the limit |
| Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts. | 371.09090909090907 MG/LAverageSource water | 1000 MG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| OdorA measure of detectable smell in the water. | 1 TONAverageEntry point | 3 TONMCL | Within the limit |
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.13999999999999999 NTUAverageSource water | 5 NTUMCL | Within the limit |
| ColorA measure of visible tint in the water. | Not detected UNITSHighest single sampleSource water | 15 UNITSMCL | None detected |
| AlkalinityA measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids. | 128.984375 MG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. | 167.92222222222222 MG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| pHA measure of how acidic or basic the water is. | 8.040909090909091 PHAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorideA naturally occurring salt compound. | 73.23823529411764 MG/LAverageSource water | 500 MG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| SulfateA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 53.7 MG/LAverageSource water | 500 MG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| NitriteA compound from fertilizer runoff, sewage, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0.0010555555555555555 MG/LAverageSource water | 1 MG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Cyanide | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 150 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| BromideA naturally occurring salt found in source water. | 0.2521875 MG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium | 0.5777777777777778 UG/LAverageSource water | 50 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 0.5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Chlorobenzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 70 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Cis Dichloroethylene 12 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 6 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Deha | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 400 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Dehp | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 4 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Dichloroethane 12 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 0.5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Dichloroethylene 11 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 6 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Dichloropropane 12 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Endrin | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 2 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Hexachlorobenzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 1 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Hexachlorocyclopentadiene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 50 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Mbaa | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | None set | None detected |
| Mcaa | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleDistribution | None set | None detected |
| Methoxychlor | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 30 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| O Dichlorobenzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 600 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| P Dichlorobenzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Pce | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Styrene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 100 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Tce | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Trans Dichloroethylene 12 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 10 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Trichlorobenzene 124 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Trichloroethane 111 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 200 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Trichloroethane 112 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Vinyl Chloride | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 0.5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PerchlorateA chemical used in rocket fuel and fireworks that can also form during disinfection. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 6 UG/LMCL | None detected |
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid, a chlorinated PFAS compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)ADONA, a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| 4:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (4:2 FTS)4:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS)6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| 8:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (8:2 FTS)8:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| 9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid, a chlorinated PFAS compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acidHFPO-DA ('GenX chemicals'), a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA)N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid (PFEESA)Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)Perfluorodecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)Perfluorododecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acidPerfluoroheptanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluorohexanoic acidPerfluorohexanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoropentanoic acidPerfluoropentanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA)Perfluorotetradecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)Perfluorotridecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)Perfluoroundecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| PFBAPerfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluorononanoic acidPerfluorononanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 1.05 NG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
VOCs & pesticides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2,3-TCP | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 0.005 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| AtrazineA widely used agricultural herbicide that reaches water through runoff. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 1 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Benzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 1 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 0.2 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| ChloroethaneA volatile organic compound used in some industrial processes. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Chloromethane | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Dichloromethane | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Ethylbenzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 300 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Simazine | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 4 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Toluene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 150 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| XylenesA group of industrial solvents found in gasoline and paint. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 1750 UG/LMCL | None detected |
Source: City of Huntington Beach, CA's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. utility is required to publish. The numbers on this page are the utility's own. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
People also ask about City of Huntington Beach, CA's water
+Is City of Huntington Beach, CA tap water safe to drink in 2023?
Every one of the 113 contaminants measured in City of Huntington Beach, CA's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report is below its federal limit. "Safe" under the EPA's drinking-water standards is health-based, not aesthetic — but by those standards, no measured contaminant in this report exceeds its enforceable threshold. Individual health concerns (e.g. immunocompromised, infant, pregnancy) may warrant additional filtering regardless of compliance.
+What contaminants are in City of Huntington Beach, CA tap water?
113 contaminants were measured in City of Huntington Beach, CA's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning other, pfas ("forever chemicals"), and metals. 63 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from City of Huntington Beach, CA's 2023 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 City of Huntington Beach, 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 2023 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.
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