Is Oxnard tap water safe to drink?

Yes but with caveats

Oxnard's water meets EPA minimum standards but has some concerns including PFAS detected. Filtration is recommended for sensitive individuals.

66/100
Purity Score
3
Issues Found
10.5 GPG
Hardness
Detected
PFAS

3 Issues Detected in Oxnard

PFAS (Forever Chemicals) Detected

PFAS are man-made chemicals that do not break down and accumulate in the body.

PFAS details for Oxnard

Very Hard Water (10.5 GPG)

Hard water causes scale in pipes and shortens appliance lifespan.

Hardness data for Oxnard

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.6 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Oxnard
California

930,309,303,393,035 · State Water Project and groundwater

Oxnard, CA Water Quality Report

Moderate Risk Updated March 2026 202,063 residents
See Best Filters for Oxnard
66
Purity Score

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
3.2 ppt
Lead
2.5 ppb
Nitrate
4.5 mg/L
Arsenic
0.6 mg/L
Hardness
10.5 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    At 10.5 GPG, Oxnard's water qualifies as very hard. This can cause limescale in pipes and shorten appliance lifespan.
  • 2
    PFAS have been identified in Oxnard's water at 3.2 parts per trillion. A reverse osmosis system is the most reliable home treatment.

Score

66 /100
Moderate
"Good" threshold (70)

Oxnard tap water is sourced from State Water Project and groundwater and treated by City of Oxnard Water Division. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected. Water hardness is hard at 10.5 GPG which may cause scale buildup. TDS is 435 ppm which is above the EPA secondary guideline of 500 ppm. Overall purity score: 66/100 (Moderate). Updated for 2026.

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Best filters matched to Oxnard's 3 issues.

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PFAS in OxnardForever chemicals
Lead in OxnardLead risk
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Oxnard Water FAQ

Is Oxnard CA tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Oxnard tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 66/100 (Moderate) on PurityMap for 2026. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected at 3.2 ppt. An NSF-certified filter is strongly recommended. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Oxnard CA use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Oxnard uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.0 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.
How hard is Oxnard CA water and what is the TDS level?
Oxnard water hardness is 10.5 grains per gallon (hard) with a TDS of 435 ppm (poor). This level causes noticeable scale buildup in water heaters kettles and dishwashers. A water softener is recommended to protect plumbing and reduce soap usage.
Has PFAS been found in Oxnard CA drinking water?
Yes. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected in Oxnard water at approximately 3.2 ppt according to EPA UCMR5 monitoring data. A reverse osmosis or NSF P473-certified filter is the most effective residential solution.
What is the best water filter for Oxnard?
Based on Oxnard's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Oxnard: PFAS detected or elevated lead risk. Reverse osmosis is the only residential technology proven to reduce both below detection limits. TDS will also drop significantly.

Nearby Reports

BakersfieldCalifornia — 55/100FontanaCalifornia — 58/100RiversideCalifornia — 58/100San BernardinoCalifornia — 58/100Moreno ValleyCalifornia — 58/100Chula VistaCalifornia — 61/100

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • City of Oxnard Water Division CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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