City of San Clemente
Office of the Mayor
Rick LoefflerMayor(949) 361-8322
[email protected] of San Clemente
Office of the Mayor
Rick LoefflerMayor(949) 361-8322
[email protected] Spanish Village by the SeaThe Spanish Village by the Sea City of San Clemente
Office of the Mayor
Rick Loeffler
Mayor
(949) 361-8322
[email protected]
City of San Clemente
Office of the Mayor
Rick Loeffler
Mayor
(949) 361-8322
[email protected]
The Spanish Village by the Sea
The Spanish Village by the Sea
August 4, 2026
The Honorable Sheila F. Hanson,
Presiding Judge of the Superior Court
Orange County Grand Jury
700 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Subject: Report of the Orange County Grand Jury - “PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County Drinking Water” Dear Presiding Judge Hanson,
The City of San Clemente (City) appreciates the time and effort the Grand Jury spent on the development of their report, “PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County Drinking Water.” The City Council has reviewed the report and authorized the attached response to the findings and recommendations noted in the report. The City values the opportunity to respond to the report, share our perspective, and provide firsthand knowledge to each of the issues requested by the Grand Jury.
If the City of San Clemente can provide additional information or clarification of our response, please do not hesitate to contact City Manager Andy Hall at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Rick Loeffler,
Mayor, City of San Clemente
Enclosure: City of San Clemente’s Response to Findings and Recommendations CC: City of San Clemente Council Members
Andy Hall, City Manager
The City of San Clemente’s responses to findings and recommendations in the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury "PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County Drinking Water" Report are as follows:
Findings and Responses
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.
Staff Recommended Response:
Agree; PFAS has been detected in Orange County groundwater sources, although the City of San Clemente has not detected PFAS within its groundwater or imported water from Metropolitan Water District.
F6 Orange County drinking water meets or exceeds state and federal standards and is safe for consumption without additional home filtration.
Staff Recommended Response:
Agree; the City of San Clemente’s drinking water meets or exceeds state and federal standards as described within its Annual Consumer Confidence Report.
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.
Staff Recommended Response:
Agree; from the perspective of the City of San Clemente, there has been no PFAS detected within its drinking water supply system. The City of San Clemente has limited education and outreach with the exception of its Annual Consumer Confidence Report.
Recommendations and Responses
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.
Staff Recommended Response:
The recommendation has been partially implemented; the City of San Clemente provides information on PFAS within its Annual Consumer Confidence Report, but will provide additional information on its website by July 1, 2029.
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.
Staff Recommended Response:
Agree; the City of San Clemente will enhance coordinated public education by September 30, 2026. Providing public education is an ongoing task as agencies adapt to new and changing regulatory requirements or other constituents that may impact water quality.
City Council 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA 92673
http://san-clemente.org
Exhibit AExhibit A
Exhibit A
Exhibit A