August 18, 2026
Honorable Sheila F. Hanson
Presiding Judge of the Superior Court
Central Justice Center, Dept. C1
700 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701
and
Orange County Grand Jury
700 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701
RE: JUNE 9, 2026, GRAND JURY REPORT “PFAS and Public Awareness, A Closer look at Orange County Drinking Water” Dear Judge Hanson:
As requested by the Orange County Grand Jury, the City of Huntington Beach has reviewed the June 9, 2026 report entitled “PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County Drinking Water” and is submitting this formal response to the applicable Findings and Recommendations. The Huntington Beach City Council has authorized me to submit this response on behalf of the City.
The City of Huntington Beach appreciates the Grand Jury’s efforts to investigate and report on issues affecting water quality and water supply reliability. Water management is a highly complex subject, and the public appropriately relies on its elected officials and public water agencies to ensure that adequate water supplies are available and that drinking water remains safe. The Grand Jury’s report serves as a valuable resource by increasing public awareness of these important issues, particularly regarding PFAS, public education, and ongoing treatment and removal efforts.
From the City’s perspective, Orange County benefits from dedicated water professionals and agencies that are committed to ensuring a safe, reliable, and sustainable water supply. These organizations continue to make significant investments and implement innovative solutions to protect public health and strengthen long-term water reliability.
The Grand Jury’s report thoroughly examines the extent of PFAS detections and evaluates the response by local water agencies. The report recognizes that Orange County has implemented one of the most comprehensive PFAS testing, public education, and treatment programs in California. In particular, the Orange County Water District (OCWD), in partnership with its member agencies, has coordinated a substantial regional response to PFAS contamination. To date, OCWD and its partner agencies have invested more than $600 million in capital improvements to remove PFAS from local groundwater supplies.
The City of Huntington Beach is proud to serve as both a groundwater producer and a member agency of OCWD, an internationally recognized leader in water reclamation and potable water reuse. Through the Groundwater Replenishment System, OCWD purifies 100 percent of the reclaimable wastewater received from the Orange County Sanitation District, producing approximately 130,000 acre-feet of purified water annually. This represents roughly one-third of the total water demand within the OCWD service area and significantly enhances local water supply reliability.
The City of Huntington Beach concurs with the Grand Jury’s recommendations. Through the sustained efforts of OCWD and its regional partner agencies, substantial progress has been made in ensuring the safety of local groundwater supplies while simultaneously reducing the region’s dependence on imported water from Northern California and the Colorado River.
The City has been requested to respond to Findings F2, F4, F6, and F8, as well as Recommendations R2, R4, and R5. The original Findings and Recommendations are reproduced below, followed by the City’s responses, which are presented in bold.
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.
The City of Huntington Beach agrees that community water systems are required to report PFAS monitoring results in their annual Consumer Confidence Reports to be consistent with requirements established by the Division of Drinking Water. The City of Huntington Beach currently includes this information in the Consumer Confidence Report.
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.
The City of Huntington Beach agrees that 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. OCWD and the Producers it serves provide safe and reliable drinking water that consistently meets all state and federal drinking water standards.
F6 Orange County drinking water meets or exceeds state and federal standards and is safe for consumption without additional home filtration.
The City of Huntington Beach agrees with this finding.
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.
The City of Huntington Beach maintains a dedicated PFAS education section on its website and included a PFAS advisory in its 2025 Consumer Confidence Report. In addition, the City’s website provides direct reference to the PFAS information hosted by the Orange County Water District, including the PFAS Fact Sheet and the Quarterly PFAS Update, to ensure the public has access to clear and comprehensive educational resources.
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] OCWD continues to maintain a proactive and comprehensive monitoring program for PFAS and funds treatment in cooperation with its Producers. These PFAS water quality monitoring efforts have continued for more than a decade and include multiple US EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule programs that include PFAS (UCMR3 and UCMR5) as well as multiple PFAS monitoring orders issued by the California Division of Drinking Water. OCWD has steadily expanded PFAS monitoring to include additional drinking water wells, groundwater monitoring wells, and surface waters throughout the Orange County groundwater basin and the Santa Ana River watershed. Through these efforts, OCWD will ensure that all its Producer agencies meet the initial monitoring requirements contained within US EPA’s PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR). OCWD has continued to meet with and maintain communication with many local water agencies and regulatory agencies to share PFAS monitoring results and related information. OCWD has also performed multiple phases of pilot testing of PFAS treatment media to help Producers determine the best treatment options. OCWD has implemented a PFAS treatment policy to fund 100% of the design and construction, and 50% of the operation and maintenance costs for Producer drinking water well treatment facilities. OCWD and the Producer water systems have worked closely and collaboratively to develop this PFAS treatment policy and maintain PFAS agreements in support of the policy resulting in implementation of treatment throughout OCWD well in advance of much of the rest of the country.
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] The City of Huntington Beach includes a PFAS advisory and compliance information in its Consumer Confidence Report and provides the same information on the City’s website. These materials are presented using clear and understandable language to ensure accessibility for the public.
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] The City of Huntington Beach will continue to provide the public with educational PFAS information, resources, and updates through its website and annual Consumer Confidence Report. The City also directs customers to the Orange County Water District’s PFAS materials to ensure consistent, accurate, and comprehensive public information. In addition, the City participates in community outreach events such as Surf City Nights and the Citizens Academy to further engage and inform residents about PFAS and drinking water quality.
Sincerely,
Casey McKeon
Mayor
Office: (714) 536 – 5553 | 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | www.huntingtonbeachca.gov Office: (714) 536 – 5237 | 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | www.huntingtonbeachca.gov Casey McKeon | Mayor