SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL
Valerie Amezcua
Mayor
[email protected]
David Penaloza
Mayor Pro Tem - Ward 6
[email protected]
Thai Viet Phan
Ward 1
[email protected]
Benjamin Vazquez
Ward 2
[email protected]
Jessie Lopez
Ward 3
[email protected]
Phil Bacerra
Ward 4
[email protected]
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez
Ward 5
[email protected]
June 17, 2026
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460
Re: Opposition to Proposed Rescission of Drinking Water Regulations for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), and Hazard Index Mixtures – Docket No. EPA-HQ-OW-2025- 0654
Dear Administrator and EPA Staff:
On behalf of the City of Santa Ana, California, I respectfully submit this letter opposing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rescission of drinking water regulations for perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid and its ammonium salt (HFPO-DA, commonly known as GenX chemicals), and Hazard Index mixtures involving these compounds.
The proposed action would eliminate enforceable federal drinking water standards for contaminants that have been identified as presenting significant risks to human health.
The City of Santa Ana has made a substantial commitment to protecting public health through the planning, design, construction, and operation of advanced treatment facilities intended to remove PFAS compounds from drinking water. These investments reflect our responsibility to provide safe, reliable, and high-quality drinking water to the residents and businesses we serve.
While we recognize the EPA’s stated intent to revisit the regulatory process, the proposed rescission creates uncertainty for water systems and undermines the progress that communities across the nation have made in addressing PFAS contamination. Public water agencies require stable and predictable regulatory standards to effectively plan long-term infrastructure investments, secure funding, and maintain public confidence in the safety of drinking water supplies. The removal of established standards, even temporarily, risks sending the message that protections against known contaminants are no longer a national priority.
MAYOR
Valerie Amezcua
MAYOR PRO TEM
David Penaloza
COUNCILMEMBERS
Phil Bacerra
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez
Jessie Lopez
Thai Viet Phan
Benjamin Vazquez
CITY OF SANTA ANA
PUBLIC WORKS AGENCY
20 Civic Center Plaza ● P.O. Box 1988
Santa Ana, California 92702
www.santa-ana.org
CITY MANAGER
Alvaro Nuñez
CITY ATTORNEY
Sonia R. Carvalho
CITY CLERK
Jennifer L. Hall
SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL
Valerie Amezcua
Mayor
[email protected]
David Penaloza
Mayor Pro Tem - Ward 6
[email protected]
Thai Viet Phan
Ward 1
[email protected]
Benjamin Vazquez
Ward 2
[email protected]
Jessie Lopez
Ward 3
[email protected]
Phil Bacerra
Ward 4
[email protected]
Johnathan Ryan Hernandez
Ward 5
[email protected]
The City is particularly concerned about the potential impact on public trust. Residents expect drinking water regulations to be based on the best available science and to provide consistent protection against contaminants that may increase the risk of cancer and other adverse health outcomes. Efforts to weaken or rescind existing standards may create confusion among the public and erode confidence in drinking water systems that are already investing significant resources to address these contaminants.
Santa Ana remains committed to removing PFAS from its water supplies and, regardless of changes at the federal level, our city will continue advancing treatment projects necessary to protect public health. However, local efforts are strengthened when supported by clear and enforceable federal standards that establish a consistent baseline of protection for all communities.
For these reasons, the City of Santa Ana respectfully urges the EPA to withdraw the proposed rescission and maintain enforceable drinking water protections for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), and Hazard Index mixtures while continuing to evaluate emerging scientific information and regulatory approaches.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on this important matter impacting our nation’s drinking water resources.
Sincerely,
Rodolfo Rosas, P.E.
Acting Executive Director of Public Works
City of Santa Ana
cc: Mayor and City Council
City Manager