Drinking water quality · 2023

· Verified May 23, 2026

What's in Irvine, CA tap water

48 contaminants were measured in the Irvine, CA water system's 2023 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit.

Browse the mapFull source report ↗

Reporting year: 2023
Contaminants measured: 48
Over federal limit: 0
Approaching the limit: 0
Service area: CA
Source: Utility CCR

All within federal limits. Every measured contaminant in this report is below its federal threshold.

PFAS — EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025)

2 PFAS compounds detected in Irvine, CA

About this data

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.

PFPeA

● Detected (no federal limit)

Measured 3.8 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 1 detect / 2

Source:EPA UCMR5· 2025 · 2 samples · 1 detected↗

PFBA

● Detected (no federal limit)

Measured 7.9 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 2 detect / 2

Source:EPA UCMR5· 2025 · 2 samples · 2 detected↗

Compare against every U.S. system over the EPA PFAS limit →

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.

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.

Treatment technique violationHealth-based
1 violation on record · most recent Jan 2010
resolved
Maximum contaminant level exceededHealth-based
1 violation on record · most recent Jun 1997
resolved

Source: EPA SDWIS / ECHO. View the full federal record on EPA ECHO ↗

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

Other

Contaminant	Measured	Federal limit	Status
Chlorine Total	1.7 mg/LAverageAverage Amount	4 mg/LMCL	Within the limit
Nitrate Nitrite	1.6 mg/LAverageLocal Treated Groundwater	10 mg/LMCL	Within the limit
+By source (3)— Local Treated Groundwater, Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Surface Water Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg1.6 mg/L16% of limit Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg0.7 mg/L7% of limit Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected mg/L0% of limit
Mcaa	0.2 ug/LAverageLocal and Imported	70 ug/LPublic health goal	Detected — no federal limit

Disinfection byproducts

Contaminant	Measured	Federal limit	Status
TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter.	30.2 ug/LAverageAverage Amount	None set	Within the limit
HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter.	19 ug/LAverageAverage Amount	None set	Within the limit
BromateA disinfection byproduct formed when bromide-containing water is treated with ozone.	Not detected ug/LAverageImported MWD Treated Water	None set	Within the limit
Bromodichloroacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct.	1.3 ug/LAverageLocal and Imported	None set	Detected — no federal limit
ChlorateA byproduct that can form during disinfection, especially when hypochlorite solutions degrade.	19 ug/LAverageImported MWD Treated Water	800 ug/LNL	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 Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avg5.4 pCi/L36% of limit Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg3.6 pCi/L24% of limit Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avgNot detected pCi/L0% of limit
Gross Beta Particle ActivityGross beta particle activity — a combined measure of beta-emitting radioactive substances.	5.1 pCi/LAverageLocal Treated Surface Water	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (2)— Local Treated Surface Water, Imported MWD Treated Water Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avg5.1 pCi/L Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avgNot detected pCi/L
UraniumA naturally occurring radioactive metal from erosion of natural deposits.	2.1 pCi/LAverageLocal Treated Groundwater	20 pCi/LMCL	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Local Treated Groundwater, Local Treated Surface Water, Imported MWD Treated Water Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg2.1 pCi/L Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avg1.7 pCi/L Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg1 pCi/L

Metals

Contaminant	Measured	Federal limit	Status
ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture.	2.16 ug/LAverageLocal Treated Groundwater	None set	Within the limit
+By source (3)— Local Treated Groundwater, Local Treated Surface Water, Imported MWD Treated Water Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg2.16 ug/L22% of limit Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected ug/L0% of limit Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avgNot detected ug/L0% of limit
CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing.	0.1908 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap	1.3 mg/LAction level	Within the limit
BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge.	Not detected mg/LAverageLocal Treated Groundwater	2 mg/LMCL	Within the limit
+By source (3)— Local Treated Groundwater, Local Treated Surface Water, Imported MWD Treated Water Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avgNot detected mg/L0% of limit Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected mg/L0% of limit Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avgNot detected mg/L0% of limit
LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures.	Not detected ug/L90th percentileAt the tap	None set	None detected
AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant.	105 ug/LAverageImported MWD Treated Water	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Groundwater, Local Treated Surface Water Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg0.105 ug/L Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avgNot detected mg/L Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected mg/L
BoronA naturally occurring element from rock and soil.	0.15 mg/LAverageLocal Treated Groundwater	1 mg/LNL	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Local Treated Groundwater, Local Treated Surface Water, Imported MWD Treated Water Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg0.15 mg/L Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avg0.14 mg/L Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg0.13 mg/L
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 Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avg74.7 mg/L Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg38 mg/L Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg28.2 mg/L
Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium.	0.1 ug/LAverageLocal Treated Groundwater	0.02 ug/LPublic health goal	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Local Treated Groundwater, Local Treated Surface Water, Imported MWD Treated Water Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg0.1 ug/L Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected ug/L Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avgNot detected ug/L
GermaniumA trace metalloid found in some source water.	0.82 ug/LAverageLocal and Imported	None set	Detected — no federal limit
LithiumA naturally occurring element found in some groundwater.	45.8 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 Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avg27.9 mg/L Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg15 mg/L Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg8 mg/L
ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock.	1.6 ug/LAverageLocal and Imported	None set	Detected — no federal limit
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 Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avg4.2 mg/L Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg3.4 mg/L Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg1.2 mg/L
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 Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avg92 mg/L Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg69 mg/L Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg48 mg/L
Vanadium	3.9 ug/LAverageLocal Treated Groundwater	50 ug/LNL	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Local Treated Groundwater, Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Surface Water Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg3.9 ug/L Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg3.1 ug/L Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected ug/L

Inorganic chemicals

Contaminant	Measured	Federal limit	Status
FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay.	0.7 mg/LAverageImported MWD Treated Water	None set	Within the limit
+By source (3)— Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Surface Water, Local Treated Groundwater Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg0.7 mg/L18% of limit Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avg0.32 mg/L8% of limit Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg0.26 mg/L7% of limit
NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits.	1.6 mg/LAverageLocal Treated Groundwater	10 mg/LMCL	Within the limit
+By source (3)— Local Treated Groundwater, Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Surface Water Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg1.6 mg/L16% of limit Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg0.7 mg/L7% of limit Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected mg/L0% of limit
Dichloroacetic acidA haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct.	4.9 ug/LAverageLocal and Imported	0 ug/LPublic health goal	Within the limit
Bromochloroacetic acidA mixed-halogen haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct.	3.9 ug/LAverageLocal and Imported	None set	Within the limit
Dibromoacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct.	2.5 ug/LAverageLocal and Imported	None set	Within the limit
Trichloroacetic acidA haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct.	1.3 ug/LAverageLocal and Imported	20 ug/LPublic health goal	Within the limit
Chlorodibromoacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct.	1 ug/LAverageLocal and Imported	None set	Within the limit
Monobromoacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct.	0.3 ug/LAverageLocal and Imported	None set	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 Local and ImportedPlant avg0.2 mg/L Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avgNot detected mg/L
ChlorideA naturally occurring salt compound.	89.2 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 Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avg89.2 mg/L Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg66 mg/L Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg34.4 mg/L
SulfateA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil.	217 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 Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avg217 mg/L Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg122 mg/L Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg56.4 mg/L

Physical & aggregate

Contaminant	Measured	Federal limit	Status
TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water.	0.12 NTUAverageAverage Amount	1 NTUMCL	Within the limit
+By source (3)— Local Treated Groundwater, Local Treated Surface Water, Imported MWD Treated Water Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avgNot detected NTU0% of limit Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected NTU0% of limit Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avgNot detected NTU0% of limit
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 Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avg138 mg/L Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg92.8 mg/L Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg84 mg/L
Bicarbonate	137 mg/LAverageLocal Treated Surface Water	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (2)— Local Treated Surface Water, Local Treated Groundwater Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avg137 mg/L Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg70.6 mg/L
ColorA measure of visible tint in the water.	2AverageImported MWD Treated Water	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Surface Water, Local Treated Groundwater Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg2 Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avgNot detected Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avgNot detected
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 Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avg297 mg/L Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg160 mg/L Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg93.3 mg/L
OdorA measure of detectable smell in the water.	2AverageImported MWD Treated Water	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Groundwater, Local Treated Surface Water Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg2 Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg1 Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avg1
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 Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg8.5 Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg8.2 Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avg8
Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content.	1001AverageLocal Treated Surface Water	None set	Detected — no federal limit
+By source (3)— Local Treated Surface Water, Imported MWD Treated Water, Local Treated Groundwater Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avg1001 Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg642 Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg429
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 Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg2.4 mg/L Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avg1.8 mg/L Local and ImportedPlant avg1.2 mg/L Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg0.4 mg/L
Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts.	612 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 Local Treated Surface WaterPlant avg612 mg/L Imported MWD Treated WaterPlant avg394 mg/L Local Treated GroundwaterPlant avg247 mg/L

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.