PRESS RELEASE
ORANGE COUNTY WATER DISTRICT | WWW.OCWD.COM
ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT HIGHLIGHTS OCWD’S PFAS
RESPONSE
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. (June 11, 2026) – A recently released Orange County
Grand Jury report, “PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County
Drinking Water,” recognized the Orange County Water District's (OCWD) proactive
response to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including regional efforts to
restore impacted groundwater wells, construct treatment facilities, secure funding, and
educate the public.
OCWD manages the Orange County Groundwater Basin, which provides approximately
85% of the drinking water supply for 2.5 million people in north and central Orange
County. Following the detection of PFAS in portions of the basin (measured in parts per
trillion), 106 groundwater wells were taken out of service. Since 2019, OCWD and its
local cities and retail water districts have worked to restore groundwater production,
returning 53 wells to service through the construction of PFAS treatment facilities.
“OCWD has taken a leadership role in responding to PFAS to protect Orange County’s
water supply and minimize impacts to ratepayers,” said Board President Denis R.
Bilodeau, P.E. “The District has made significant progress in restoring wells by
developing one of the most advanced PFAS treatment programs in the world.”
The Grand Jury commended OCWD for securing diversified funding sources to support
timely treatment facility construction and cited the District's collaborative cost-sharing
approach with its member agencies as a model for how thoughtful collaboration can
enhance efficiency and long‑term public benefit. To date, OCWD has secured
approximately $283 million through state and federal grants, legal settlements with
chemical manufacturers, and other funding sources to help offset treatment costs and
reduce impacts to ratepayers.
Addressing PFAS in Orange County is estimated to cost approximately $1.8 billion over
the next 30 years. OCWD remains committed to working with local water providers to
restore the remaining impacted wells, evaluate emerging PFAS treatment technologies,
and protect the long-term reliability of the groundwater basin.
“We appreciate the Grand Jury’s recognition of the work being done by OCWD and our
local water providers,” added Bilodeau. “While there is still more work ahead, the
progress made so far demonstrates what can be accomplished through regional
collaboration and a shared commitment to protecting Orange County’s water supply.”
For more information about OCWD's PFAS treatment program, visit pfas.ocwd.com.
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Media Contact:
Gina Ayala, (714) 378-3323 or gayala@ocwd.com
