Submitted By: Public Works
Prepared By: David Rebensdorf, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Subject:
title
RESPONSE TO 2025-2026 ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT "PFAS AND PUBLIC AWARENESS: A CLOSER LOOK AT ORANGE COUNTY DRINKING WATER"
body
Summary:
On June 9, 2026, the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury report, "PFAS and Public Awareness: A closer look at Orange County Drinking Water" was published. The report provides education for Per- and Plyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) often called "forever chemicals," and their impact on Orange County drinking water systems. The Grand Jury requires a response from the City on three Findings (F2, F6 and F8) and two Recommendations (R4 and R5) in the report, and the responses must be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court by September 7, 2026.
Background:
The 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury report, "PFAS and Public Awareness: A closer look at Orange County Drinking Water" is provided as Attachment 1. The report identifies the development of PFAS by industry since the 1940's. PFAS is used for water resistant coatings, firefighting foams, non-stick materials, and industrial processes. The chemicals have a long life and have contaminated soil, water, and air globally. Regulatory action has been taken and US manufacturing of certain PFAS ended around 2015.
Due to the long-lasting chemical composition of the material, PFAS has been detected in many groundwater systems. Within Orange County, the north and central areas have been the most impacted with detection of PFAS in the groundwater. Water districts and cities have taken action to install infrastructure to remove PFAS to regulatory limits or below prior to delivery to the public. Fortunately, PFAS has not been detected in San Clemente's drinking water supply which is imported from Metropolitan Water District and from the City's two active wells.
The report outlines details regarding PFAS and its impact...
Click here for full text