Drinking water quality · 2022
· Verified
What's in City of Orange — Orange, Ca, CA tap water
29 contaminants were measured in the City of Orange — Orange, Ca, CA water system's 2022 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 1 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2022
- Contaminants measured
- 29
- Over federal limit
- 1
- Approaching the limit
- 1
- Worst contaminant
- PFOS
- Service area
- CA
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.
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFOSPerfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings. | 6.1 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | At or above the limit |
| PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. | 3.7 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Approaching the 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. | 26 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 7 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| Bromodichloroacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 0.94 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 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. | 4.68 pCi/LAverageSystem-wide | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Gross Beta Particle ActivityGross beta particle activity — a combined measure of beta-emitting radioactive substances. | Not detected pCi/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| UraniumA naturally occurring radioactive metal from erosion of natural deposits. | 3.96 pCi/LAverageSystem-wide | 20 pCi/LMCL | Detected — no federal limit |
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate Nitrite | 2.27 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 10 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Chlorine Total | 0.8 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Mcaa | 0.06 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 2.25 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 10 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 0.33 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Bromochloroacetic acidA mixed-halogen haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 2.13 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| Dichloroacetic acidA haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 2.01 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| Dibromoacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 1.73 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| Chlorodibromoacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 0.83 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| Trichloroacetic acidA haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 0.66 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| Monobromoacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 0.22 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| BromideA naturally occurring salt found in source water. | 0.17 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.2 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 1.3 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | 0.00229 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap | 0.015 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.08 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 2 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. | Not detected mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture. | Not detected ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | Not detected ug/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| GermaniumA trace metalloid found in some source water. | 0.1 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | Not detected %RangeSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 0.25 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
People also ask about City of Orange — Orange, Ca, CA's water
+Is City of Orange — Orange, Ca, CA tap water safe to drink in 2022?
The 2022 Consumer Confidence Report for the City of Orange — Orange, Ca, 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 City of Orange — Orange, Ca, CA tap water?
29 contaminants were measured in City of Orange — Orange, Ca, CA's 2022 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning inorganic chemicals, metals, and disinfection byproducts. 9 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 City of Orange — Orange, Ca, CA tap water?
One contaminant in City of Orange — Orange, Ca, CA's 2022 report sits at or above the federal limit: PFOS (1.5× 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 City of Orange — Orange, Ca, CA tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2022 report is PFOS, at 1.5× the federal threshold. It belongs to the pfas ("forever chemicals") family of contaminants.
+Are any contaminants in City of Orange — Orange, Ca, CA tap water approaching the federal limit?
One contaminant is between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: PFOA. 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 City of Orange — Orange, Ca, CA's 2022 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 Orange — Orange, Ca, 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 2022 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.