Drinking water quality · 2023
· Verified
What's in Irvine, CA tap water
45 contaminants were measured in the Irvine, CA water system's 2023 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 3 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2023
- Contaminants measured
- 45
- Over federal limit
- 3
- Approaching the limit
- 0
- Worst contaminant
- Specific Conductance
- Service area
- CA
1001.0× the limit
state-level CCR
PFAS — EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025)
3 PFAS compounds detected in Irvine, 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.
Lithium
● Detected (no federal limit)Measured 67.2 mg/LSample year 2024Samples 5 detect / 7
near national p90 (76.59999999999991 mg/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFPeA
● Detected (no federal limit)Measured 3.8 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 1 detect / 2
below national p90 (15.95999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFBA
● Detected (no federal limit)Measured 7.9 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 2 detect / 2
below national p90 (18 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PWSID CA3010092 · 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
Irvine, CA's drinking water comes from ground water, drawn from 26 sources.
Source
26ground water
- WELL · 22
- WELL OPA-1
- WELL C-8
- WELL C-9
- + 1 more
Treatment
29treatment plants
- OPA-1 PFAS TREATMENT PLANT
- DRWF BLENDING (DRWF TM)
- IDP/PTP DESALTER PLANT
- + 26 more
Distribution
37storage units
Also buys water from METROPOLITAN WATER DIST. OF SO. CAL., TRABUCO CANYON WATER DISTRICT, and 10 more.
Source: EPA SDWIS facilities inventory. Methodology.
Historical readings · EPA Six-Year Review (2012–2019)
4 contaminants historically over EPA limits in Irvine, 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
NITRATE worst: 2013 | 14 mg/L 1.4× | 10 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
NITRATE NITRITE worst: 2019 | 14 mg/L 1.4× | 10 mg/L | '16'17'18'19 |
GROSS BETA worst: 2012 | 5.43 mrem/yr 1.4× | 4 mrem/yr | '12'13 |
ARSENIC worst: 2015 | 0.0108 mg/L 1.1× near national p90 | 0.01 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
TTHM worst: 2018 | 0.0728 mg/L 91% | 0.08 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
HAA5 worst: 2013 | 0.049 mg/L 82% | 0.06 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
NITRITE worst: 2012 | 0.55 mg/L within | 1 mg/L | '12'13'18 |
SELENIUM worst: 2017 | 0.0215 mg/L within | 0.05 mg/L | '12'13'14'17'19 |
FLUORIDE worst: 2019 | 1.58 mg/L within | 4 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
RADIUM 226 228 worst: 2013 | 0.673 pCi/L within below national p90 | 5 pCi/L | '12'13 |
PCE worst: 2017 | 0.0005 mg/L within | 0.005 mg/L | '17 |
BARIUM worst: 2018 | 0.147 mg/L within near national p90 | 2 mg/L | '13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
ETHYLBENZENE worst: 2017 | 0.00905 mg/L within | 0.7 mg/L | '17 |
XYLENES TOTAL worst: 2017 | 0.0224 mg/L within | 10 mg/L | '15'17 |
URANIUM worst: 2019 | 0.0167 ug/L within near national p90 | 30 ug/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DBAA worst: 2012 | 0.0066 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DCAA worst: 2012 | 0.018 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
MBAA worst: 2012 | 0.0012 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
MCAA worst: 2012 | 0.0025 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'17'18'19 |
TCAA worst: 2012 | 0.0081 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMODICHLOROMETHANE worst: 2012 | 0.021 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMOFORM worst: 2012 | 0.0097 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
CHLOROFORM worst: 2012 | 0.02 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE worst: 2012 | 0.022 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
PWSID CA3010092 · 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.
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content. | 1001AverageLocal Treated Surface Water | 1MCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (3)— Local Treated Surface Water, Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Groundwater
| |||
| Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts. | 612 mg/LAverageLocal Treated Surface Water | 1 mg/LMCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (3)— Local Treated Surface Water, Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Groundwater
| |||
| OdorA measure of detectable smell in the water. | 2AverageImported MWD Treated Water | 3MCL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Surface Water, Local Treated Groundwater
| |||
| ColorA measure of visible tint in the water. | 2AverageImported MWD Treated Water | 15MCL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Groundwater, Local Treated Surface Water
| |||
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.12 NTUAverageAverage Amount | 5 NTUMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Groundwater, Local Treated Surface Water
| |||
| AlkalinityA measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids. | 138 mg/LAverageLocal Treated Surface Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (3)— Local Treated Surface Water, Local Treated Groundwater, Imported MWD Treated Water
| |||
| Bicarbonate | 137 mg/LAverageLocal Treated Surface Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Local Treated Surface Water, Local Treated Groundwater
| |||
| HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. | 297 mg/LAverageLocal Treated Surface Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (3)— Local Treated Surface Water, Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Groundwater
| |||
| pHA measure of how acidic or basic the water is. | 8.5AverageImported MWD Treated Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (3)— Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Groundwater, Local Treated Surface Water
| |||
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 2.4 mg/LAverageImported MWD Treated Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Surface Water, Local and Imported +1 more
| |||
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium. | 0.1 ug/LAverageLocal Treated Groundwater | 0.02 ug/LPublic health goal | At or above the limit |
+By source (3)— Local Treated Groundwater, Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Surface Water
| |||
| AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. | 105 ug/LAverageImported MWD Treated Water | 200 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Groundwater, Local Treated Surface Water
| |||
| BoronA naturally occurring element from rock and soil. | 0.15 mg/LAverageLocal Treated Groundwater | 1 mg/LNL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Local Treated Groundwater, Local Treated Surface Water, Imported MWD Treated Water
| |||
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.1908 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap | 1.3 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| Vanadium | 3.9 ug/LAverageLocal Treated Groundwater | 50 ug/LNL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Local Treated Groundwater, Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Surface Water
| |||
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | 1.6 ug/LAverageLocal and Imported | 50 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. | 74.7 mg/LAverageLocal Treated Surface Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (3)— Local Treated Surface Water, Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Groundwater
| |||
| GermaniumA trace metalloid found in some source water. | 0.82 ug/LAverageLocal and Imported | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| MagnesiumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 27.9 mg/LAverageLocal Treated Surface Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (3)— Local Treated Surface Water, Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Groundwater
| |||
| PotassiumA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 4.2 mg/LAverageLocal Treated Surface Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (3)— Local Treated Surface Water, Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Groundwater
| |||
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 92 mg/LAverageLocal Treated Surface Water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (3)— Local Treated Surface Water, Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Groundwater
| |||
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 2.5 mg/LAverageLocal Treated Surface Water | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SulfateA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 217 mg/LAverageLocal Treated Surface Water | 500 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Local Treated Surface Water, Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Groundwater
| |||
| ChlorideA naturally occurring salt compound. | 89.2 mg/LAverageLocal Treated Surface Water | 500 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Local Treated Surface Water, Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Groundwater
| |||
| Trichloroacetic acidA haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 1.3 ug/LAverageLocal and Imported | 20 ug/LPublic health goal | Within the limit |
| BromideA naturally occurring salt found in source water. | 0.2 mg/LAverageLocal and Imported | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Local and Imported, Local Treated Groundwater
| |||
| Bromochloroacetic acidA mixed-halogen haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 3.9 ug/LAverageLocal and Imported | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Chlorodibromoacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 1 ug/LAverageLocal and Imported | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Dibromoacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 2.5 ug/LAverageLocal and Imported | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Dichloroacetic acidA haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 4.9 ug/LAverageLocal and Imported | 0 ug/LPublic health goal | Detected — no federal limit |
| Monobromoacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 0.3 ug/LAverageLocal and Imported | 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. | 5.4 pCi/LAverageLocal Treated Surface Water | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Local Treated Surface Water, Local Treated Groundwater, Imported MWD Treated Water
| |||
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorateA byproduct that can form during disinfection, especially when hypochlorite solutions degrade. | 19 ug/LAverageImported MWD Treated Water | 800 ug/LNL | Within the limit |
| BromateA disinfection byproduct formed when bromide-containing water is treated with ozone. | Not detected ug/LAverageImported MWD Treated Water | 10 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Bromodichloroacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 1.3 ug/LAverageLocal and Imported | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Source: Irvine, 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 Irvine, CA's water
+Is Irvine, CA tap water safe to drink in 2023?
The 2023 Consumer Confidence Report for the Irvine, CA water utility lists 3 contaminants at or above the federal limit: Specific Conductance, Total Dissolved Solids, and Chromium, Hexavalent. 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 Irvine, CA tap water?
45 contaminants were measured in Irvine, CA's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, inorganic chemicals, and physical & aggregate. 27 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 Irvine, CA tap water?
3 contaminants in Irvine, CA's 2023 report sit at or above the federal limit: Specific Conductance (1001.0× the limit); Total Dissolved Solids (612.0× the limit); Chromium, Hexavalent (5.0× 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 Irvine, CA tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2023 report is Specific Conductance, at 1001.0× the federal threshold. It belongs to the physical & aggregate family of contaminants.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Irvine, 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 Irvine, 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.
More water systems in CA
Santa AnaCosta MesaHuntington BeachFullertonPomonaWest CovinaOntarioEl MonteRancho CucamongaTorranceRiversideLos Angeles LADWPPasadenaFontanaInglewoodCity of PerrisEast Valley Service AreaMills Service AreaRialtoGlendaleCity of MurrietaSkinner Service AreaMoreno ValleyCity of MenifeeAll water systems →