Drinking water quality · 2025
What's in Huntington Beach, CA tap water
38 contaminants were measured in the Huntington Beach, CA water system's 2025 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 1 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2025
- Contaminants measured
- 38
- Over federal limit
- 1
- Approaching the limit
- 0
- Worst contaminant
- PFOS
- Service area
- CA
1.3× the limit
state-level CCR
At or above the federal limit
PFAS — EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025)
1 PFAS compound above EPA limits in 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
PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid)
● Below limitMeasured 3.3 ng/LEPA limit 10 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 1 detect / 4
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
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.
Compliance history
Federal Safe Drinking Water Act violation & enforcement records (EPA SDWIS). A violation is a regulatory determination by the state or EPA — separate from the measured levels above.
No federal drinking-water violations on record for this system.
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 31 ug/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Within the limit |
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 17 ug/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Within the limit |
| BromateA disinfection byproduct formed when bromide-containing water is treated with ozone. | 2.4 ug/LAverageMWD Surface Water | None set | Within the limit |
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 0.91 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 0.8 mg/LAverageLocal Groundwater | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Local Groundwater, MWD Surface Water
| |||
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | Not detected mg/LAverageMWD Surface Water | 10 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— MWD Surface Water, Local Groundwater
| |||
| ChlorideA naturally occurring salt compound. | 92 mg/LAverageMWD Surface Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— MWD Surface Water, Local Groundwater
| |||
| SulfateA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 182 mg/LAverageMWD Surface Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— MWD Surface Water, Local Groundwater
| |||
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.24 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap | 1.3 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.13 mg/LAverageMWD Surface Water | 2 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— MWD Surface Water, Local Groundwater
| |||
| ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture. | Not detected ug/LAverageLocal Groundwater | None set | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Local Groundwater, MWD Surface Water
| |||
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | Not detected ug/L90th percentileAt the tap | None set | Within the limit |
| AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. | 58 ug/LAverageMWD Surface Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— MWD Surface Water, Local Groundwater
| |||
| BoronA naturally occurring element from rock and soil. | 0.13 mg/LAverageImported MWD | 1 mg/LNL | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Imported MWD, Groundwater
| |||
| CalciumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 56 mg/LAverageImported MWD | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Imported MWD, Groundwater
| |||
| Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium. | 0.16 ug/LAverageLocal Groundwater | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Local Groundwater, MWD Surface Water
| |||
| LithiumA naturally occurring element found in some groundwater. | 22 ug/LAverageImported MWD | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Imported MWD, Groundwater
| |||
| MagnesiumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 22 mg/LAverageImported MWD | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Imported MWD, Groundwater
| |||
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | 47 ug/LAverageLocal Groundwater | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Local Groundwater, MWD Surface Water
| |||
| PotassiumA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 4.3 mg/LAverageImported MWD | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Imported MWD, Groundwater
| |||
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 88 mg/LAverageImported MWD | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Imported MWD, Groundwater
| |||
| Vanadium | 1.2 ug/LAverageGroundwater | 50 ug/LNL | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Groundwater, Imported MWD
| |||
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.14 NTUAverageAverage Amount | 1 NTUMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Local Groundwater, Metropolitan Water District Diemer Filtration Plant, MWD Surface Water
| |||
| AlkalinityA measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids. | 148 mg/LAverageGroundwater | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Groundwater, Imported MWD
| |||
| ColorA measure of visible tint in the water. | 1AverageMWD Surface Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— MWD Surface Water, Local Groundwater
| |||
| HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. | 236 mg/LAverageImported MWD | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Imported MWD, Groundwater
| |||
| OdorA measure of detectable smell in the water. | 1AverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Local Groundwater, MWD Surface Water
| |||
| pHA measure of how acidic or basic the water is. | 8.3AverageImported MWD | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Imported MWD, Groundwater
| |||
| Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content. | 873AverageMWD Surface Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— MWD Surface Water, Local Groundwater
| |||
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 2.4 mg/LAverageImported MWD | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Imported MWD, Groundwater
| |||
| Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts. | 545 mg/LAverageMWD Surface Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— MWD Surface Water, Local Groundwater
| |||
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate Nitrite | Not detected mg/LAverageLocal Groundwater | 10 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Local Groundwater, MWD Surface Water
| |||
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined RadiumCombined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements. | Not detected pCi/LAverageLocal Groundwater | 5 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Local Groundwater, MWD Surface Water
| |||
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | Not detected pCi/LAverageLocal Groundwater | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Local Groundwater, MWD Surface Water
| |||
| Gross Beta Particle ActivityGross beta particle activity — a combined measure of beta-emitting radioactive substances. | Not detected pCi/LAverageMWD Surface Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| UraniumA naturally occurring radioactive metal from erosion of natural deposits. | 3.1 pCi/LAverageLocal Groundwater | 20 pCi/LMCL | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Local Groundwater, MWD Surface Water
| |||
Source: Huntington Beach, CA's 2025 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 Huntington Beach, CA's water
+Is Huntington Beach, CA tap water safe to drink in 2025?
The 2025 Consumer Confidence Report for the Huntington Beach, CA water utility lists 1 contaminant at or above the federal limit: PFOS. 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 Huntington Beach, CA tap water?
38 contaminants were measured in Huntington Beach, CA's 2025 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, physical & aggregate, and inorganic chemicals. 14 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 Huntington Beach, CA tap water?
One contaminant in Huntington Beach, CA's 2025 report sits at or above the federal limit: PFOS (1.3× 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 Huntington Beach, CA tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2025 report is PFOS, at 1.3× the federal threshold. It belongs to the pfas ("forever chemicals") family of contaminants.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Huntington Beach, CA's 2025 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 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 2025 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.
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