Drinking water quality · 2024
· Verified
What's in Santa Ana, CA tap water
51 contaminants were measured in the Santa Ana, CA water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 2 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 51
- Over federal limit
- 2
- Approaching the limit
- 1
- Worst contaminant
- Specific Conductance
- Service area
- CA
PFAS — EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025)
2 PFAS compounds above EPA limits in Santa Ana, 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 (3.6×)near national p90 (19.900000000000006 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)
● Over EPA limit (2.2×)near national p90 (13.649999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid)
● Approaching limit (84%)near national p90 (12.049999999999997 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHxA
● Detected (no federal limit)below national p90 (12.190000000000003 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFPeA
● Detected (no federal limit)below national p90 (15.95999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
Lithium
● Detected (no federal limit)near national p90 (76.59999999999991 mg/L across detecting U.S. systems)
Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS
Santa Ana, CA's drinking water comes from ground water, drawn from 18 sources.
Source
- WELL · 14
- WELL 28 - STANDBY
- WELL 41 - STANDBY
- WELL 27 - STANDBY
- + 1 more
Treatment
- OSHG AT WELLS 37
- OSHG AT WELL 41
- OSHG AT WELL 34
- + 14 more
Distribution
Also buys water from METROPOLITAN WATER DIST. OF SO. CAL., MESA WATER DISTRICT, and 2 more.
Historical readings · EPA Six-Year Review (2012–2019)
18 historically-detected contaminants in Santa Ana, 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: 2019 | 9.86 mg/L 99% | 10 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
NITRATE NITRITE worst: 2019 | 9.86 mg/L 99% | 10 mg/L | '16'17'18'19 |
TTHM worst: 2013 | 0.0528 mg/L within | 0.08 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
HAA5 worst: 2013 | 0.0235 mg/L within | 0.06 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
ARSENIC worst: 2013 | 0.0035 mg/L within below national p90 | 0.01 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16 |
FLUORIDE worst: 2013 | 0.8 mg/L within | 4 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DICHLOROETHYLENE 11 worst: 2019 | 0.0008 mg/L within below national p90 | 0.007 mg/L | '14'15'16'19 |
BARIUM worst: 2012 | 0.169 mg/L within near national p90 | 2 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18 |
URANIUM worst: 2018 | 0.0122 ug/L within near national p90 | 30 ug/L | '14'17'18'19 |
DBAA worst: 2012 | 0.0055 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DCAA worst: 2012 | 0.0096 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
MBAA worst: 2019 | 0.0032 mg/L | — | '19 |
MCAA worst: 2014 | 0.0021 mg/L | — | '14'15'17 |
TCAA worst: 2012 | 0.0057 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMODICHLOROMETHANE worst: 2012 | 0.0153 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMOFORM worst: 2012 | 0.0084 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
CHLOROFORM worst: 2012 | 0.0172 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE worst: 2012 | 0.0169 mg/L | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content. | 979AverageAverage Amount | 1MCL | At or above the limit |
| Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts. | 621 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | 1 mg/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| OdorA measure of detectable smell in the water. | 1AverageAverage Amount | 3MCL | Within the limit |
| ColorA measure of visible tint in the water. | 2AverageAverage Amount | 15MCL | Within the limit |
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | Not detected NTUAverageAverage Amount | 5 NTUMCL | Within the limit |
| AlkalinityA measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids. | 164 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Bicarbonate | 202 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. | 270 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| pHA measure of how acidic or basic the water is. | 8.2AverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 2.4 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SulfateA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 224 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | 500 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| ChlorideA naturally occurring salt compound. | 104 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | 500 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Trichloroacetic acidA haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 1 ug/LAverageAverage Amount | 20 ug/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| BromideA naturally occurring salt found in source water. | 0.13 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Bromochloroacetic acidA mixed-halogen haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 0.81 ug/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Chlorodibromoacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 0.55 ug/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Dibromoacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 0.66 ug/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Dichloroacetic acidA haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 1.1 ug/LAverageAverage Amount | 0 ug/LMCLG | Detected — no federal limit |
| Monobromoacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | Not detected ug/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 1.01 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PerchlorateA chemical used in rocket fuel and fireworks that can also form during disinfection. | 1.2 ug/LAverageAverage Amount | 6 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| BromateA disinfection byproduct formed when bromide-containing water is treated with ozone. | Not detected ug/LAverageAverage Amount | 10 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Bromodichloroacetic acidA brominated haloacetic acid disinfection byproduct. | 0.86 ug/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| BoronA naturally occurring element from rock and soil. | 0.14 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | 1 mg/LNL | Within the limit |
| Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium. | 1.4 ug/LAverageAverage Amount | 10 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.17 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap | 1.3 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. | Not detected ug/LAverageAverage Amount | 200 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 |
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | Not detected ug/LAverageAverage Amount | 50 ug/LSecondary MCL | Within the limit |
| SeleniumA trace element from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | Not detected ug/LAverageAverage Amount | 50 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| CalciumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 73 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| MagnesiumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 26 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| PotassiumA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 4.9 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 103 mg/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Beta Particle ActivityGross beta particle activity — a combined measure of beta-emitting radioactive substances. | 4 pCi/LAverageAverage Amount | 50 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | Not detected pCi/LAverageAverage Amount | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acidPerfluorobutanesulfonic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageAverage Amount | 500 ng/LNL | Within the limit |
| PFBAPerfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ng/LAverageAverage Amount | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
People also ask about Santa Ana, CA's water
+Is Santa Ana, CA tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the Santa Ana, CA water utility lists 2 contaminants at or above the federal limit: Specific Conductance and Total Dissolved Solids. 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 Santa Ana, CA tap water?
51 contaminants were measured in Santa Ana, CA's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, inorganic chemicals, and physical & aggregate. 32 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 Santa Ana, CA tap water?
2 contaminants in Santa Ana, CA's 2024 report sit at or above the federal limit: Specific Conductance (979.0× the limit); Total Dissolved Solids (621.0× 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 Santa Ana, CA tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 report is Specific Conductance, at 979.0× the federal threshold. It belongs to the physical & aggregate family of contaminants.
+Are any contaminants in Santa Ana, CA tap water approaching the federal limit?
One contaminant is between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid. 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 Santa Ana, CA's 2024 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 Santa Ana, 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 2024 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.