Is Huntington Beach tap water safe to drink?

Yes but with caveats

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

63/100
Purity Score
3
Issues Found
11 GPG
Hardness
Detected
PFAS

3 Issues Detected in Huntington Beach

PFAS (Forever Chemicals) Detected

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

PFAS details for Huntington Beach

Very Hard Water (11 GPG)

Hard water causes scale in pipes and shortens appliance lifespan.

Hardness data for Huntington Beach

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.5 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Huntington Beach
California

926,469,264,792,648 · Metropolitan Water District and local wells

Huntington Beach Water Quality Report: PFAS Detected

Elevated Risk Updated March 2026 198,711 residents
See Best Filters for Huntington Beach
63
Purity Score

Recent testing detected PFAS in Huntington Beach tap water. Below you'll find contaminant data, an overall purity score, and matched filter recommendations based on Huntington Beach's specific water profile.

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
2.5 ppt
Lead
2.8 ppb
Nitrate
2 mg/L
Arsenic
0.5 mg/L
Hardness
11 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    With a hardness of 11 GPG, Huntington Beach residents may notice white scale on faucets. Hard water increases maintenance costs.
  • 2
    PFAS have been identified in Huntington Beach's water at 2.5 parts per trillion. A reverse osmosis system is the most reliable home treatment.

Score

63 /100
Moderate
"Good" threshold (70)

Huntington Beach tap water is sourced from Metropolitan Water District and local wells and treated by City of Huntington Beach Water. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected. Water hardness is very hard at 11.0 GPG which may cause scale buildup. TDS is 455 ppm which is above the EPA secondary guideline of 500 ppm. Overall purity score: 63/100 (Moderate). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Huntington Beach's 3 issues.

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About Huntington Beach's Water

Understanding PFAS in Huntington Beach's Water Supply

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a class of synthetic chemicals used in industrial and consumer products since the 1940s. Testing identified PFAS compounds in Huntington Beach's water at 2.5 parts per trillion. These chemicals resist breakdown in the environment and the human body, which is why they're sometimes called forever chemicals. The EPA has established health advisories for several PFAS compounds. A certified reverse osmosis system removes 99% or more of PFAS from drinking water and is currently the most reliable home treatment option.

Hard Water in Huntington Beach: Impact on Plumbing and Appliances

At 11 grains per gallon, Huntington Beach's water qualifies as very hard. Hard water carries dissolved calcium and magnesium that deposit as limescale inside pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines over time. Scale accumulation reduces appliance efficiency and shortens service life. A salt-based water softener is the most effective solution for whole-home protection. For drinking water only, a reverse osmosis system also reduces mineral content significantly.

Explore Huntington Beach Water Data

PFAS in Huntington BeachForever chemicals
Lead in Huntington BeachLead risk
Huntington Beach Hard WaterHardness data
Best FiltersFull comparison
CaliforniaState rankings

Huntington Beach Water FAQ

Is Huntington Beach CA tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Huntington Beach tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 63/100 (Moderate) on PurityMap for 2026. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected at 2.5 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 Huntington Beach CA use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Huntington Beach uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 0.9 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 Huntington Beach CA water and what is the TDS level?
Huntington Beach water hardness is 11.0 grains per gallon (very hard) with a TDS of 455 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 Huntington Beach CA drinking water?
Yes. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected in Huntington Beach water at approximately 2.5 ppt according to EPA UCMR5 monitoring data. A reverse osmosis or NSF P473-certified filter is the most effective residential solution.

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 Huntington Beach Water CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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