Drinking water quality · 2025
· Verified
What's in Huntington Beach, CA tap water
37 contaminants were measured in the Huntington Beach, CA water system's 2025 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 3 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2025
- Contaminants measured
- 37
- Over federal limit
- 3
- Approaching the limit
- 1
- Worst contaminant
- Specific Conductance
- Service area
- CA
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×)below national p90 (19.900000000000006 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid)
● Below limitbelow national p90 (12.049999999999997 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
Huntington Beach, CA's drinking water comes from ground water, drawn from 9 sources.
Source
- WELL · 9
Treatment
- EDWARD HILLS RESERVOIR CHLORINATOR
- OC-9 FLUORIDATION FACILITY
- OC-35 FLUORIDATION FACILITY
- + 13 more
Distribution
Also buys water from METROPOLITAN WATER DIST. OF SO. CAL., CITY OF SEAL BEACH, and 2 more.
Historical readings · EPA Six-Year Review (2012–2019)
15 historically-detected contaminants in 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 |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content. | 873AverageMWD Surface Water | 1MCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (2)— MWD Surface Water, Local Groundwater
| |||
| Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts. | 545 mg/LAverageMWD Surface Water | 1 mg/LMCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (2)— MWD Surface Water, Local Groundwater
| |||
| OdorA measure of detectable smell in the water. | 1AverageAverage Amount | 3MCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— MWD Surface Water, Local Groundwater
| |||
| ColorA measure of visible tint in the water. | 1AverageMWD Surface Water | 15MCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— MWD Surface Water, Local Groundwater
| |||
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.14 NTUAverageAverage Amount | 5 NTUMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Metropolitan Water District Diemer Filtration Plant, Local Groundwater, 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
| |||
| HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. | 236 mg/LAverageImported MWD | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Imported MWD, Groundwater
| |||
| 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
| |||
| 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
| |||
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | 47 ug/LAverageLocal Groundwater | 50 ug/LMCL | Approaching the limit |
+By source (2)— Local Groundwater, MWD Surface Water
| |||
| AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. | 58 ug/LAverageMWD Surface Water | 200 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— MWD Surface Water, Local Groundwater
| |||
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.24 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap | 1.3 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| BoronA naturally occurring element from rock and soil. | 0.13 mg/LAverageImported MWD | 1 mg/LNL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Imported MWD, Groundwater
| |||
| Vanadium | 1.2 ug/LAverageGroundwater | 50 ug/LNL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Groundwater, Imported MWD
| |||
| Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium. | 0.16 ug/LAverageLocal Groundwater | 10 ug/LMCL | 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 | 15 ug/LAction level | Within the limit |
| 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
| |||
| 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
| |||
| 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
| |||
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SulfateA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 182 mg/LAverageMWD Surface Water | 500 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— MWD Surface Water, Local Groundwater
| |||
| ChlorideA naturally occurring salt compound. | 92 mg/LAverageMWD Surface Water | 500 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— MWD Surface Water, Local Groundwater
| |||
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| BromateA disinfection byproduct formed when bromide-containing water is treated with ozone. | 2.4 ug/LAverageMWD Surface Water | 10 ug/LMCL | 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 |
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 | 50 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
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 3 contaminants at or above the federal limit: Specific Conductance, Total Dissolved Solids, 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 Huntington Beach, CA tap water?
37 contaminants were measured in Huntington Beach, CA's 2025 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, physical & aggregate, and inorganic chemicals. 28 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?
3 contaminants in Huntington Beach, CA's 2025 report sit at or above the federal limit: Specific Conductance (873.0× the limit); Total Dissolved Solids (545.0× 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 Huntington Beach, CA tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2025 report is Specific Conductance, at 873.0× the federal threshold. It belongs to the physical & aggregate family of contaminants.
+Are any contaminants in Huntington Beach, CA tap water approaching the federal limit?
One contaminant is between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: Manganese. 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 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.