201 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #1101
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5173
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
DATE: AUGUST 11, 2026
FROM: PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO 2025-2026 ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY
REPORT REGARDING PFAS AND PUBLIC AWARENESS IN
ORANGE COUNTY
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 04
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion, approve response to the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report titled, PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County Drinking Water, and authorize the Acting Public Utilities General Manager to sign and provide the letter response to the Presiding Judge of the Orange County Court and the Orange County Grand Jury, pursuant to California Penal Code Section 933(c).
BACKGROUND:
At its meeting on July 22, 2026, the Public Utilities Board recommended that the City Council authorize the Acting Public Utilities General Manager to sign and provide a letter response to the Presiding Judge of the Orange County Court and the Orange County Grand Jury.
On June 9, 2026, the Orange County Grand Jury (Grand Jury) released a report entitled PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County Drinking Water (Report). The Grand Jury made the report to “provide a clear, up-to-date understanding of how Orange County drinking water agencies have responded to these new requirements” related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) regulatory actions.
Additionally, the study assessed how “the development and delivery of PFAS-related education programs offers insight into how effectively agencies are communicating risks, regulatory changes, and water quality information to the public.” The Grand Jury based the report on a review that included interviews, public records, field investigations, and relevant news articles. The Grand Jury concluded that Orange County retail water agencies, including Anaheim, consistently meet or exceed federal and state drinking water standards. The Grand Jury recognized Anaheim in particular in the commendations section of the Report for exceptional leadership in addressing PFAS through large-scale treatment investments, rigorous monitoring, and public communication.
Response to 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report Regarding PFAS and Public Awareness in Orange County August 11, 2026
In reference to Anaheim, the Grand Jury stated,
“Anaheim has launched one of the largest municipal PFAS treatment programs in the country, a multi-phase, $150M effort to construct treatment systems at nine groundwater sites. The utility serves 64,000 metered customers, historically relying on groundwater for 80% of its supply. PFAS treatment systems for Wells 39 and 47 are among the first in a series of facilities designed to restore local production while meeting stringent state and federal standards.” CITY RESPONSE OBLIGATIONS:
The Grand Jury report made eight findings and six recommendations applicable to various Orange County cities, including Anaheim. Each governing body has 90 days to respond following the publication of the Grand Jury Report pursuant to California Penal Code Section 933(c).
GRAND JURY FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CITY’S RESPONSE:
The City’s response to each applicable finding and recommendation is provided below and in Attachment 2.
Findings
F2: PFAS is widespread, and contamination has been detected in Orange County groundwater sources. Community water systems are required to report PFAS monitoring results in their annual Consumer Confidence Reports.
City Response to F2: Anaheim agrees with this finding. Anaheim recognizes that PFAS is widespread and that contamination from industrial manufacturing has been found in groundwater sources as well as consumer products and food sources. As such, water retailers alone cannot fully mitigate the impacts of PFAS. For Anaheim’s part, in addition to mitigation efforts that include groundwater treatment, educational efforts including a dedicated website and inclusion in the Consumer Confidence Report are important ways to inform the public, and additional initiatives are further described in response to Finding 8.
F4: OCWD has taken a proactive leadership role in addressing PFAS in the Orange County Groundwater Basin, though PFAS treatment implementation varies across local cities and water districts.
City Response to F4: Anaheim agrees with this finding. Anaheim agrees that the Orange County Water District (OCWD) has taken a proactive leadership role in addressing PFAS in Orange County and has done so in a collaborative manner with water retailers, regulatory agencies, and industry experts. The resulting treatment program has been systematic, coordinated, and consistent between water retailers and OCWD for the benefit of Orange County communities. The program considers affordability through a reimbursement agreement and accessing federal and state funding assistance.
Response to 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report Regarding PFAS and Public Awareness in Orange County August 11, 2026
F6: Orange County drinking water meets or exceeds state and federal standards and is safe for consumption without additional home filtration.
City Response to F6: Anaheim agrees with this finding. Anaheim agrees with this finding that Orange County drinking water, including that which is provided by Anaheim, meets or exceeds state and federal standards and is safe for consumption.
Anaheim relies on the Orange County Groundwater Basin to supply roughly 80% of its water to Anaheim residents and businesses, and its groundwater treatment program has focused on customer safety, implementation of treatment systems, and recovering costs since 2019.
F8: There are limited online PFAS education and outreach programs among Orange County water retailers. Most retailers rely on OCWD for PFAS education and outreach. PFAS advisories were included in approximately 55% of the Orange County water retailers’ annual water quality reports in 2025.
City Response to F8: Anaheim disagrees, in part, with this finding. Anaheim cannot speak for other Orange County water retailers. Speaking for itself, Anaheim regularly engages with its customers on a variety of important issues, including water quality, groundwater treatment, water use efficiency, and affordability. Anaheim maintains regularly updated online information related to a number of water quality topics. Since 2019, Anaheim has maintained webpages dedicated to educating customers on PFAS and groundwater treatment. Anaheim has also hosted numerous water quality focused community meetings and other outreach events related to Anaheim’s Groundwater Treatment Program. A summary of these customer engagement initiatives include:
Open houses prior to starting construction of groundwater treatment plants near residences and parks;
Community meetings focused on water quality, conservation programs, and bill assistance for residential customers;
Student tours of water treatment facilities coordinated with local elementary, junior high, and high schools;
Including high school students to be part of groundwater treatment groundbreaking and dedication events;
Hosting residents, students, school superintendents, and businesses at Anaheim’s Sustainability Education Center that includes interactive displays on water sources;
Hosting regional events including the OC Green Expo that is open to the general public and includes water sustainability and educational programming for local elementary students;
Hosting Water Awareness Month events open to the public and students to learn about water quality, conservation, and infrastructure;
Agendized action and informational items at Anaheim Public Utilities Board and Anaheim City Council meetings that are available to the public; A comprehensive website on a variety of water quality topics (https://www.anaheim.net/657/Water-Quality);
Posting the Annual Consumer Confidence Report on Anaheim’s website (https://www.anaheim.net/2092/Water-Quality-Report) and informing customers about the report on utility bills;
Response to 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report Regarding PFAS and Public Awareness in Orange County August 11, 2026
Social media posts and utility bill inserts informing customers about water quality and groundwater treatment; and
A dedicated website on PFAS (https://www.anaheim.net/3302/PFAS).
Recommendations
R2: By July 1, 2029, OCWD and its member agencies should monitor PFAS in groundwater and surface water sources and promptly implement PFAS treatment when response levels are exceeded. [F2, F4]
City Response to R2: Recommendation 2 is being implemented and will be complete prior to July 1, 2029. Anaheim is in compliance with all monitoring, analysis, and reporting required by the State Water Resources Control Board’s General Monitoring Orders and the US Environmental Protection Agency’s National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFAS. Treatment systems have been installed at 9 locations, inclusive of 14 groundwater wells, as part of Anaheim’s multi-year groundwater treatment program (Phases A and B). These systems are fully operational, and the selected ion exchange technology has been effective in removing PFAS. An additional four wells at four different locations are currently being rehabilitated, and remaining treatment systems (Phase C) are in design with construction scheduled to begin in late 2026 and system operation beginning by July 1, 2029.
R4: By July 1, 2029, all Orange County water retailers should consistently include a PFAS advisory, treatment facilities status, and compliance information in consumer confidence reports and on agency websites, using clear and understandable language for the public. [F2, F8]
City Response to R4: Recommendation 4 has been partially implemented and will be fully implemented prior to July 1, 2027. Anaheim agrees that Orange County water retailers should maintain transparency and provide consistent messaging to customers regarding PFAS. Anaheim has consistently strived to provide transparency to its customers through its consumer confidence reports, agency website, and community outreach and education. In addition to the efforts discussed under Finding 8, Anaheim will incorporate the recommended topics in its consumer confidence reports and on its website by the stated date.
R5: By September 30, 2026, OCWD and all Orange County water retailers should enhance coordinated public education efforts to reassure their customers about drinking water safety. [F6, F8]
City Response to R5: Recommendation 5 has been implemented. Anaheim has made consistent efforts to promote drinking water safety through public outreach and education, as further described in Finding 8. Anaheim plans to continue engaging the public through in-person community events, tours, student engagement, public information, and social media to further enhance awareness and to educate customers on Anaheim’s efforts to mitigate PFAS.
Response to 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report Regarding PFAS and Public Awareness in Orange County August 11, 2026
CONCLUSION:
The Grand Jury’s Report and the proposed response to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court are attached for the City Council’s review. Upon approval, the Acting Public Utilities General Manager will submit the proposed response letter to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, as required by Penal Code Section 933(c).
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
This proposed letter response will not impact the budget.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brian Beelner
Acting Public Utilities General Manager
Attachments:
1. Orange County Grand Jury Report: PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County Drinking Water
2. Recommended Response to the 2025-2026 Grand Jury Report