Item 301/2026
Final
City of Garden Grove
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
To:
Lisa L. Kim From: Matt West
Dept:
City Manager Dept: City Manager
Date: 8/11/2026
Subject: Approval to submit a response to the Grand Jury Report, PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County Drinking Water. (Action Item)
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this report is for the City Council to approve the attached response to the 2025-26 Grand Jury Report, PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County Drinking Water, and authorize submittal to the Orange County Grand Jury.
BACKGROUND
On June 9, 2026, the Orange County Grand Jury released its 2025 -26 Grand Jury Report, PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County Drinking Water . Recent regulatory actions related to PFAS have created significant operational, financial, and communication challenges for drinking water agencies across California. Orange County agencies face an intensifying timeline due to the region’s reliance on groundwater supplies, the presence of PFAS in local aquifers, and the need to comply with evolving state and federal standards. As regulatory and monitoring requirements expand, agencies must rapidly adapt their treatment strategies, capital planning, and public outreach efforts . The 2025 –2026 Orange County Grand Jury report examines the presence of per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or "forever chemicals," in Orange County drinking water and evaluates how local water agencies are responding to growing regulatory requirements.
DISCUSSION
PFAS are highly persistent synthetic chemicals used in numerous industrial and consumer products that have contaminated water, soil, air, and food worldwide and have been linked to potential health risks, including cancer, developmental effects, liver damage , immune system impacts, and elevated cholesterol. Because Orange County relies heavily on groundwater—particularly in the north and central regions, where up to 85% of drinking water comes from the Orange County Groundwater Basin —PFAS contamination has pr ompted agencies to shut down affected wells, construct advanced treatment facilities, increase monitoring, and comply with evolving federal and state standards established by the EPA and California regulators. The Grand Jury's investigation, based on interviews, document reviews, Item 301/2026
field visits, and analysis of water quality reports, assesses PFAS monitoring, treatment planning, public communication, and regulatory compliance while identifying opportunities to improve annual Consumer Confidence Reports and pu blic outreach to ensure safe drinking water and maintain public trust.
The Grand Jury report outlined eight findings, four of which applied to Garden Grove.
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.
Response: The City agrees with this finding. PFAS monitoring results are already included in the City’s Consumer Confidence Report (CCR): www.ggcity.org/ccr
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.
Response: The City agrees with this finding. The Orange County Water District (OCWD) has taken the lead in addressing PFAS contamination in groundwater, inc luding conducting pilot studies to identify the most effective treatment technologies, implementing treatment facilities, and pursuing legal action against PFAS manufacturers.
F6. Orange County drinking water meets or exceeds state and federal standards and is safe for consumption without additional home filtration.
Response: The City agrees with this finding. The City cannot provide water to customers unless it meets all applicable state and federal drinking water standards. Both OCWD and the City routinely monitor and test the water supply to ensure compliance with these regulatory requirements.
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
Response: The City agrees with this finding. The City of Garden Grove is among the approximately 55% of Orange County water retailers that have included PFAS information and advisories in their Consumer Confidence Reports. Additional information is available at www.ggcity.org/ccr
The Grand Jury report also outlined six recommendations, three of which applied to Garden Grove.
Item 301/2026
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]
Response: This recommendation has been implemented since 2019.
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]
Response: This recommendation has been implemented. PFAS and water quality information is available on the City’s Water Quality webpage ( https://ggcity.org/pw/water-quality ) and in the Consumer Confidence Report (www.ggcity.org/ccr ).
R5. By September 30, 2026, OCWD and all Orange Count y water retailers should enhance coordinated public education efforts to reassure their customers about drinking water safety. [F6, F8]
Response: This recommendation has been implemented and is an ongoing effort in collaboration with OCWD. The City continues to educate customers about PFAS through the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), the City website, social media, and direct r esponses to customer inquiries.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
Approve the attached response and authorize submittal to the Orange County Grand Jury.
By: Shawn Park, Assistant to the City Manager
ATTACHMENT(S)
Letter - Response to the Grand Jury Report, PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County Drinking Water