Skip to content
TapBuff

PFAS above EPA’s limits in California.

129 utilities of the 670 EPA tested in California had a sampling location whose PFAS average was above a 2024 limit in its final UCMR 5 data, by EPA’s own method.

The short answer

129 utilities serving 8.9 million people, as they report it, had a location averaging above a limit, most often PFOS (114) and PFOA (84). The largest is City of Fresno, whose highest PFOS average was 22 ppt, 5.4 times the limit. The furthest above is Running Springs Water District, at 33 times the PFOS limit.

These are EPA’s survey results, not violations: the limits take effect April 26, 2029, and compliance will rest on each utility’s own monitoring. EPA has proposed changes to the rule; as of Oct. 13, 2026, none is final.

Utilities above a limit

Largest first. Each one’s highest location average is for the limit it is furthest above, with the single highest sample of the same PFAS; its report has every result.

California utilities above a 2024 PFAS limit
UtilityBased inServesAboveHighest location averageHighest single sample
City of FresnoFresno545,970PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, Hazard IndexPFOS 22 ppt5.4 times the limit30 ppt
City of Sacramento MainSacramento527,979PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, Hazard IndexPFOS 39 ppt9.7 times the limit41 ppt
City of AnaheimAnaheim350,254PFOA, PFOSPFOS 18 ppt4.5 times the limit29 ppt
City of Santa AnaSanta Ana316,184PFOA, PFOSPFOS 14 ppt3.4 times the limit14 ppt
Santa Clarita Valley Water AgencyNewhall292,014PFOA, PFOSPFOA 14 ppt3.5 times the limit17 ppt
Cws - BakersfieldSan Jose268,129PFOA, PFOSPFOS 14 ppt3.4 times the limit14 ppt
City of ModestoModesto218,915PFOA, PFOSPFOS 19 ppt4.6 times the limit26 ppt
City of Huntington BeachHuntington Beach201,000PFOSPFOS 5.5 ppt1.4 times the limit6.1 ppt
City of StocktonStockton192,702PFOSPFOS 14 ppt3.5 times the limit28 ppt
Glendale - City, Water Dept.Glendale192,212PFOA, PFOSPFOS 15 ppt3.8 times the limit16 ppt
SCWA - Laguna/VineyardSacramento188,417PFOA, PFOSPFOS 15 ppt3.9 times the limit24 ppt
Ontario Municipal Utilities CompanyOntario185,010PFOAPFOA 15 ppt3.8 times the limit30 ppt
Sweetwater AuthorityChula Vista184,915PFOAPFOA 9.2 ppt2.3 times the limit11 ppt
City of Garden GroveGarden Grove174,226PFOA, PFOSPFOS 19 ppt4.7 times the limit19 ppt
City of BakersfieldBakersfield171,108PFOSPFOS 8.0 ppttwice the limit8.4 ppt
Cws - VisaliaSan Jose153,522PFOSPFOS 5.7 ppt1.4 times the limit6.9 ppt
Pomona - City, Water Dept.Pomona151,713PFOA, PFOSPFOS 15 ppt3.6 times the limit18 ppt
Rancho California Water DistrictTemecula146,147PFOA, PFOSPFOS 14 ppt3.4 times the limit16 ppt
California Water Service Co. - ElaSan Jose142,140PFOSPFOS 8.3 ppt2.1 times the limit8.6 ppt
City of FullertonFullerton140,054PFOA, PFOSPFOS 12 ppt3 times the limit13 ppt
City of ClovisClovis133,118PFOA, PFOSPFOS 36 ppt9 times the limit41 ppt
Cal Am Water Company - MontereyPacific Grove128,928PFOA, PFOSPFOA 7.0 ppt1.7 times the limit8.1 ppt
City of OrangeOrange120,770PFOA, PFOSPFOS 17 ppt4.2 times the limit17 ppt
Golden State WC - West Orange CountyAnaheim114,693PFOA, PFOSPFOS 15 ppt3.8 times the limit16 ppt
Downey - City, Water Dept.Downey110,556PFOA, PFOSPFOS 38 ppt9.5 times the limit44 ppt
Cal - Water Service Co. - ChicoSan Jose110,473PFOS, PFHxS, Hazard IndexPFOS 17 ppt4.2 times the limit23 ppt
East Valley Water DistrictHighland108,600PFOA, PFOSPFOS 12 ppt3 times the limit12 ppt
Hesperia WDHesperia101,836PFOA, PFOSPFOS 5.5 ppt1.4 times the limit11 ppt
City of VacavilleVacaville99,650PFOSPFOS 9.9 ppt2.5 times the limit10 ppt
City of MercedMerced96,073PFOSPFOS 6.8 ppt1.7 times the limit8.9 ppt
City of WestminsterWestminster93,591PFOSPFOS 4.8 ppt1.2 times the limit5.3 ppt
Compton - City, Water Dept.Compton90,986PFOSPFOS 16 ppt3.9 times the limit17 ppt
City of ReddingRedding90,254PFOA, PFOSPFOA 14 ppt3.5 times the limit16 ppt
South Gate - City, Water Dept.South Gate88,544PFOA, PFOSPFOS 24 ppt6 times the limit26 ppt
City of MantecaManteca84,928PFOA, PFHxSPFHxS 19 ppt1.9 times the limit19 ppt
City of Buena ParkBuena Park82,667PFOSPFOS 6.1 ppt1.5 times the limit6.8 ppt
Redlands City MUD - Water DivRedlands78,025PFOSPFOS 5.4 ppt1.4 times the limit5.8 ppt
City of PleasantonPleasanton76,689PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, Hazard IndexPFOS 24 ppt6 times the limit26 ppt
Liberty Utilities - Bellflower - NorwalkDowney72,472PFOA, PFOSPFOS 55 ppt14 times the limit59 ppt
City of LodiLodi67,093PFOSPFOS 5.1 ppt1.3 times the limit5.6 ppt
Lynwood - City, Water Dept.Lynwood66,967PFOA, PFOSPFOS 22 ppt5.5 times the limit23 ppt
Suburban Water Systems - WhittierCovina66,565PFOA, PFOSPFOS 13 ppt3.1 times the limit13 ppt
Lakewood - City, Water Dept.Lakewood66,356PFOSPFOS 18 ppt4.4 times the limit19 ppt
City of WatsonvilleWatsonville65,231PFOA, PFOSPFOA 5.8 ppt1.4 times the limit6.5 ppt
City of PortervillePorterville63,487PFOA, PFOSPFOA 21 ppt5.3 times the limit22 ppt
California Water Service - LivermoreSan Jose60,414PFOSPFOS 10 ppt2.6 times the limit12 ppt
City of GilroyGilroy59,426PFOAPFOA 5.8 ppt1.4 times the limit8.0 ppt
Suburban Water Systems - la MiradaCovina57,240PFOA, PFOSPFOS 12 ppt3.1 times the limit16 ppt
Gswc - San DimasSan Dimas56,564PFOSPFOS 4.5 ppt1.1 times the limit4.6 ppt
Monte Vista WDMontclair56,390PFOSPFOS 5.5 ppt1.4 times the limit5.6 ppt
Gswc - Bell, Bell GardensAnaheim55,050PFOSPFOS 12 ppt2.9 times the limit15 ppt
Cal Am - Suburban RosemontSacramento54,893PFOA, PFOSPFOS 12 ppt3 times the limit13 ppt
City of CeresCeres54,513PFOA, PFOSPFOS 19 ppt4.6 times the limit24 ppt
City of ArcadiaArcadia54,236PFOSPFOS 9.4 ppt2.4 times the limit10 ppt
Golden State WC - Placentia/Yorba LindaAnaheim50,804PFOA, PFOSPFOS 6.1 ppt1.5 times the limit6.5 ppt
Cal Am - ParkwaySacramento50,646PFOSPFOS 13 ppt3.1 times the limit15 ppt
Gswc - ArtesiaAnaheim50,415PFOSPFOS 12 ppt3 times the limit13 ppt
Whittier - City, Water Dept.Whittier49,954PFOSPFOS 9.5 ppt2.4 times the limit19 ppt
City of ColtonColton46,525PFOSPFOS 12 ppt3 times the limit18 ppt
Bellflower - Somerset MWCBellflower46,300PFOSPFOS 16 ppt4 times the limit17 ppt
City of AdelantoAdelanto39,930PFOSPFOS 4.4 ppt1.1 times the limit4.5 ppt
Gswc - ClaremontSan Dimas39,776PFOA, PFOSPFOA 7.3 ppt1.8 times the limit13 ppt
Pico Rivera - City, Water Dept.Pico Rivera39,451PFOA, PFOSPFOS 29 ppt7.1 times the limit30 ppt
City of LathropLathrop38,596PFOSPFOS 15 ppt3.8 times the limit17 ppt
Monrovia - City, Water Dept.Monrovia37,931PFOSPFOS 5.1 ppt1.3 times the limit6.1 ppt
Lakeside WDLakeside35,500PFOSPFOS 4.8 ppt1.2 times the limit4.8 ppt
Atascadero Mutual Water CoAtascadero33,307PFOA, PFOSPFOS 22 ppt5.4 times the limit22 ppt
Camrosa Water DistrictCamarillo32,700PFOSPFOS 8.5 ppt2.1 times the limit17 ppt
City of Paso Robles Water DivisionPaso Robles31,176PFOAPFOA 5.5 ppt1.4 times the limit6.3 ppt
South Tahoe PUD - MainSouth Lake Tahoe30,089PFOA, PFOSPFOA 5.6 ppt1.4 times the limit6.1 ppt
City of AtwaterAtwater29,479PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, Hazard IndexPFOS 23 ppt5.6 times the limit45 ppt
Crescenta Valley CWDLa Crescenta28,162PFOAPFOA 4.6 ppt1.1 times the limit5.1 ppt
Cws - North GardenSan Jose27,634PFOSPFOS 4.5 ppt1.1 times the limit4.6 ppt
Gswc - South ArcadiaSan Dimas27,430PFOA, PFOSPFOS 20 ppt5 times the limit22 ppt
Montebello Land & Water Co.Montebello26,554PFOA, PFOSPFOS 47 ppt12 times the limit53 ppt
City of SangerSanger26,357PFOA, PFOSPFOS 6.3 ppt1.6 times the limit6.7 ppt
Sunnyslope County Water DistHollister25,486PFOAPFOA 5.2 ppt1.3 times the limit5.8 ppt
City of NorcoNorco25,068PFOA, PFOSPFOS 22 ppt5.6 times the limit31 ppt
Orchard Dale Water DistrictWhittier25,000PFOA, PFOSPFOS 20 ppt5 times the limit23 ppt
Liberty Utilities - LynwoodDowney24,649PFOA, PFOSPFOS 17 ppt4.3 times the limit17 ppt
Valley of the Moon Water DistrictEl Verano23,140PFOAPFOA 4.6 ppt1.1 times the limit5.2 ppt
Pico WDPico Rivera22,051PFOA, PFOSPFOS 26 ppt6.4 times the limit28 ppt
Norwalk - City, Water Dept.Norwalk20,283PFOA, PFOSPFOS 25 ppt6.3 times the limit26 ppt
Santa Fe Springs - City, Water Dept.Santa Fe Springs19,219PFOA, PFOSPFOS 11 ppt2.6 times the limit14 ppt
Riverside Highland Water CompanyGrand Terrace19,053PFOA, PFOSPFOA 17 ppt4.1 times the limit18 ppt
City of Arroyo Grande Utilities DivisionArroyo Grande17,963PFOSPFOS 4.2 ppt1.04 times the limit6.8 ppt
Western MWD - Murrieta DivisionRiverside17,837PFOA, PFOSPFOA 5.1 ppt1.3 times the limit5.5 ppt
Pinedale County Water DistrictPinedale16,736PFOA, PFOSPFOA 12 ppt2.9 times the limit12 ppt
City of UkiahUkiah16,067PFOSPFOS 4.1 ppt1.03 times the limit7.4 ppt
City of RiponRipon15,753PFOA, PFOSPFOS 12 ppt3 times the limit12 ppt
Huntington Park - City, Water Dept.Huntington Park15,437PFOA, PFOSPFOS 22 ppt5.5 times the limit23 ppt
South Montebello Irrigation Dist.Montebello15,021PFOA, PFOSPFOS 18 ppt4.5 times the limit20 ppt
Pala NorthPala14,280PFOAPFOA 5.7 ppt1.4 times the limit6.1 ppt
Tract 180 Mutual Water Co.Cudahy14,000PFOA, PFOSPFOS 23 ppt5.8 times the limit24 ppt
Big Bear City CSDBig Bear City12,738PFOS, PFHxS, Hazard IndexHazard Index 2.752.8 times the limit—
City of LindsayLindsay12,659PFOA, PFOSPFOS 12 ppt2.9 times the limit12 ppt
Crestline Village CWD - Division 10Crestline11,650PFHxS, Hazard IndexHazard Index 1.771.8 times the limit—
City of Bell GardensBell Gardens11,413PFOA, PFOSPFOS 22 ppt5.5 times the limit23 ppt
City of SonomaSonoma10,619PFOAPFOA 5.1 ppt1.3 times the limit6.2 ppt
SCWA - Arden Park VistaSacramento10,068PFOSPFOS 7.2 ppt1.8 times the limit8.3 ppt
Golden Hills CSDTehachapi9,857PFOA, PFOSPFOA 14 ppt3.6 times the limit19 ppt
Tract 349 Mutual Water Co.Cudahy8,700PFOA, PFOSPFOS 35 ppt8.7 times the limit37 ppt
Florin County Water DistrictSacramento7,831PFOA, PFOSPFOA 11 ppt2.6 times the limit12 ppt
City of GridleyGridley7,269PFOS, Hazard IndexPFOS 9.8 ppt2.4 times the limit11 ppt
Los Osos Community Services DistrictLos Osos7,086PFOA, PFOSPFOA 12 ppt2.9 times the limit15 ppt
Lake Arrowhead CSDLake Arrowhead7,038PFOA, PFOSPFOA 12 ppt3 times the limit14 ppt
Rincon NorthernValley Center7,003PFOSPFOS 4.5 ppt1.1 times the limit8.9 ppt
Peter Pitchess Honor Rancho Detn. CtrCastaic7,000PFOA, PFOSPFOS 6.0 ppt1.5 times the limit6.5 ppt
Nuevo Water CompanyNuevo6,733PFOAPFOA 5.8 ppt1.4 times the limit7.0 ppt
Rubio Canon Land & Water AssociationAltadena6,646PFOA, PFOSPFOS 17 ppt4.3 times the limit19 ppt
Helendale Community Service DistrictHelendale6,347PFOA, PFOSPFOS 21 ppt5.1 times the limit23 ppt
Maywood Mutual Water Co. #3Maywood6,059PFOA, PFOSPFOS 25 ppt6.2 times the limit26 ppt
Bellflower Municipal Water SystemRosemead6,032PFOA, PFOSPFOS 31 ppt7.6 times the limit33 ppt
Cal Am - MeadowbrookSacramento5,723PFOSPFOS 7.8 ppt1.9 times the limit8.3 ppt
La Habra Heights CWDLa Habra Heights5,682PFOA, PFOSPFOS 23 ppt5.7 times the limit23 ppt
Pleasant Valley Mutual Water CoCamarillo5,306PFOA, PFOSPFOA 8.3 ppt2.1 times the limit10 ppt
Yosemite Spring Park Util CoCoarsegold5,300PFOA, PFOSPFOS 6.9 ppt1.7 times the limit7.9 ppt
Running Springs Water DistrictRunning Springs5,268PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, Hazard IndexPFOS 131 ppt33 times the limit237 ppt
Suburban Water Systems - SativaCovina4,372PFOSPFOS 4.7 ppt1.2 times the limit9.4 ppt
Cal Am - ArdenSacramento4,178PFOAPFOA 5.3 ppt1.3 times the limit6.0 ppt
Planada CSDPlanada4,164PFOSPFOS 15 ppt3.6 times the limit15 ppt
City of WheatlandWheatland4,124PFOSPFOS 9.2 ppt2.3 times the limit11 ppt
Weaverville C.S.D.Weaverville3,975PFOSPFOS 12 ppt3.1 times the limit19 ppt
Maywood Mutual Water Co. #1Huntington Park3,851PFOSPFOS 11 ppt2.7 times the limit11 ppt
San Joaquin County - Mokelumne AcresStockton3,802PFOA, PFOSPFOS 13 ppt3.2 times the limit14 ppt
Commerce - City, Water Dept.Montebello3,598PFOAPFOA 4.7 ppt1.2 times the limit9.3 ppt
California State University FresnoFresno1,500PFOAPFOA 6.0 ppt1.5 times the limit12 ppt
Atascadero State HospitalAtascadero1,100PFOS, PFHxS, Hazard IndexPFOS 19 ppt4.7 times the limit33 ppt
California State FairSacramento80PFOSPFOS 14 ppt3.5 times the limit14 ppt

34 more utilities in California had a single sample above a limit but no location average above, so they are not listed; each report shows the sample.

Results: EPA UCMR 5 occurrence data, file of Oct. 15, 2026, samples from Jan. 3, 2023 to June 17, 2026, averaged by sampling location as EPA’s final UCMR 5 data summary does. Every state, and the full data as a CSV; how this list is made. People served is what each utility reports.