PFAS education center
PFAS are a group of thousands of manmade chemicals that are used in a number of industrial processes and firefighting activities and to make products non-stick and/or resistant to water, oil, and stains. Produced by chemical manufacturers, these substances have been detected in the Orange County Groundwater Basin, which supplies 85% of the drinking water supply to north and central Orange County.
OCWD and its water retailers are proactively and swiftly addressing PFAS in Orange County. Explore internal and external resources such as the PFAS fact sheet, frequently asked questions, quarterly update, and more.
Protecting Local Water Supplies
61
30
39
need to be built
11
$1 billion
likely to increase

LEGISLATION & REGULATIONS
The science on PFAS have prompted legislative and regulatory action. Orange County water agencies take seriously the duty to provide reliable high-quality drinking water and will continue to meet all state and federal drinking water standards and regulations.

TAKE ACTION
Despite playing no role in releasing PFAS into the environment, cities and water agencies must find ways to remove it from their local water supplies. Send a letter to Orange County’s federal legislators in just two clicks. Let them know polluters should pay for PFAS cleanup, not ratepayers.

STAKEHOLDER SUPPORT
Upholding the polluter pays principle is supported by 30+ Orange County organizations, including the County of Orange and Orange County Taxpayers Association.