Drinking water quality · 2026
· Verified
What's in City of Santa Ana, CA tap water
104 contaminants were measured in the City of Santa Ana, CA water system's 2026 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit.
- Reporting year
- 2026
- Contaminants measured
- 104
- Over federal limit
- 0
- Approaching the limit
- 0
- Service area
- CA
state-level CCR
PFAS — EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025)
2 PFAS compounds above EPA limits in City of 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×)Measured 14.2 ng/LEPA limit 4 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 4 detect / 12
near national p90 (19.900000000000006 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)
● Over EPA limit (2.2×)Measured 8.9 ng/LEPA limit 4 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 4 detect / 12
near national p90 (13.649999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid)
● Approaching limit (84%)Measured 8.4 ng/LEPA limit 10 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 5 detect / 12
near national p90 (12.049999999999997 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFHxA
● Detected (no federal limit)Measured 4 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 2 detect / 12
below national p90 (12.190000000000003 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PFPeA
● Detected (no federal limit)Measured 5.9 ng/LSample year 2025Samples 3 detect / 12
below national p90 (15.95999999999999 ng/L across detecting U.S. systems)
Lithium
● Detected (no federal limit)Measured 38.5 mg/LSample year 2025Samples 3 detect / 12
near national p90 (76.59999999999991 mg/L across detecting U.S. systems)
PWSID CA3010038 · 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
City of Santa Ana, CA's drinking water comes from ground water, drawn from 18 sources.
Source
18ground water
- WELL · 14
- WELL 28 - STANDBY
- WELL 41 - STANDBY
- WELL 27 - STANDBY
- + 1 more
Treatment
17treatment plants
- OSHG AT WELLS 37
- OSHG AT WELL 41
- OSHG AT WELL 34
- + 14 more
Distribution
9storage units
Also buys water from METROPOLITAN WATER DIST. OF SO. CAL., MESA WATER DISTRICT, and 2 more.
Source: EPA SDWIS facilities inventory. Methodology.
Historical readings · EPA Six-Year Review (2012–2019)
18 historically-detected contaminants in City of 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 |
PWSID CA3010038 · 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts. | 401.2 MG/LAverageSource water | 1000 MG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content. | 640.75 UMHO/CMAverageSource water | 1600 UMHO/CMMCL | Within the limit |
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.1125 NTUAverageSource water | 5 NTUMCL | Within the limit |
| ColorA measure of visible tint in the water. | Not detected UNITSHighest single sampleSource water | 15 UNITSMCL | None detected |
| OdorA measure of detectable smell in the water. | Not detected TONHighest single sampleSource water | 3 TONMCL | None detected |
| AlkalinityA measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids. | 155 MG/LAverageEntry point | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. | 241.2 MG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| pHA measure of how acidic or basic the water is. | 7.9 PHAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PerchlorateA chemical used in rocket fuel and fireworks that can also form during disinfection. | 1.0916666666666666 UG/LAverageSource water | 6 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SulfateA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 86 MG/LAverageSource water | 500 MG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| ChlorideA naturally occurring salt compound. | 52.82000000000001 MG/LAverageSource water | 500 MG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| NitriteA compound from fertilizer runoff, sewage, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0.0012352941176470588 MG/LAverageSource water | 1 MG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| BromideA naturally occurring salt found in source water. | 0.1 MG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium, HexavalentHexavalent chromium ('chromium-6') — the more toxic form of chromium. | 0.87 UG/LAverageSource water | 10 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| IronA naturally occurring metal common in groundwater. | 11.26 UG/LAverageSource water | 300 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| NickelA metal from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 2.7199999999999998 UG/LAverageSource water | 100 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| SeleniumA trace element from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 1.28 UG/LAverageSource water | 50 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 1.4600000000000002 UG/LAverageSource water | 1000 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 1000 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Antimony | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 6 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Beryllium | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 4 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| BoronA naturally occurring element from rock and soil. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Cadmium | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 50 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| MercuryA toxic metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial runoff. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 2 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Thallium | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 2 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| ZincA naturally occurring metal that can also enter water from corroding pipes. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5000 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| CalciumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 41.43333333333334 MG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| MagnesiumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 13.540000000000001 MG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| PotassiumA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 2.1399999999999997 MG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 47.260000000000005 MG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Vanadium | 2.54 UG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium | 1.48 UG/LAverageSource water | 50 UG/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 0.5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Chlorobenzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 70 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Cis Dichloroethylene 12 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 6 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Deha | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 400 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Dehp | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 4 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Dichloroethane 12 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 0.5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Dichloropropane 12 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Endrin | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 2 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Hexachlorobenzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 1 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Hexachlorocyclopentadiene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 50 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Methoxychlor | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 30 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| O Dichlorobenzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 600 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| P Dichlorobenzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Pce | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Styrene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 100 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Tce | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Trans Dichloroethylene 12 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 10 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Trichlorobenzene 124 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Trichloroethane 111 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 200 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Trichloroethane 112 | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Vinyl Chloride | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 0.5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid, a chlorinated PFAS compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | None set | None detected |
| 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)ADONA, a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | None set | None detected |
| 4:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (4:2 FTS)4:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | None set | None detected |
| 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS)6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| 8:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (8:2 FTS)8:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | None set | None detected |
| 9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid, a chlorinated PFAS compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | None set | None detected |
| Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acidHFPO-DA ('GenX chemicals'), a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid (PFEESA)Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleEntry point | None set | None detected |
| Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)Perfluorodecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)Perfluorododecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluorononanoic acidPerfluorononanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)Perfluoroundecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected NG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acidPerfluoroheptanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 2.0272727272727273 NG/LAverageSource water | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| PFBAPerfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 3.784615384615385 NG/LAverageEntry point | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
VOCs & pesticides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2,3-TCP | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 0.005 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| AtrazineA widely used agricultural herbicide that reaches water through runoff. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 1 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Benzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 1 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 0.2 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| ChloroethaneA volatile organic compound used in some industrial processes. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Chloromethane | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | None set | None detected |
| Dichloromethane | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 5 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Ethylbenzene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 300 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Simazine | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 4 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| Toluene | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 150 UG/LMCL | None detected |
| XylenesA group of industrial solvents found in gasoline and paint. | Not detected UG/LHighest single sampleSource water | 1750 UG/LMCL | None detected |
Source: City of Santa Ana, CA's 2026 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 City of Santa Ana, CA's water
+Is City of Santa Ana, CA tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Every one of the 104 contaminants measured in City of Santa Ana, CA's 2026 Consumer Confidence Report is below its federal limit. "Safe" under the EPA's drinking-water standards is health-based, not aesthetic — but by those standards, no measured contaminant in this report exceeds its enforceable threshold. Individual health concerns (e.g. immunocompromised, infant, pregnancy) may warrant additional filtering regardless of compliance.
+What contaminants are in City of Santa Ana, CA tap water?
104 contaminants were measured in City of Santa Ana, CA's 2026 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning other, metals, and pfas ("forever chemicals"). 61 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from City of Santa Ana, CA's 2026 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 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 2026 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.
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