Is there PFAS in City of Adelanto water?
Yes. EPA's final UCMR 5 results show City of Adelanto averaged 4.4 ppt of PFOS at its worst sampling point, 1.1 times the EPA limit of 4 ppt.
City of Adelanto is a public water system drawing on groundwater, based in Adelanto, California, serving about 39,930 people. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 4 times across 2 sampling points between Dec 2023 and Sep 2024.
Every PFAS detected
| PFAS | Detected | Highest | Worst point avg | EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFHxS Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid |
2 of 4 | 4.7 ppt | 4.7 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFOS Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid |
2 of 4 | 4.5 ppt | 4.4 ppt | 4 ppt |
Not detected: PFTA, 4:2 FTS, PFMPA, PFPeA, PFMBA, PFEESA, NFDHA, NMeFOSAA, PFHpS, PFTrDA, NEtFOSAA, 6:2 FTS, PFBA, PFPeS, HFPO-DA, 8:2 FTS, PFBS, PFHpA, PFNA, ADONA, PFOA, PFDA, PFDoA, PFHxA, PFUnA, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, 9Cl-PF3ONS.
Lithium, tested in the same program: highest 11.1 ppb, detected in 2 of 2 samples. EPA's health-based screening level is 10 ppb.
What the EPA limits mean here
In April 2024 EPA set enforceable limits of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, 10 ppt each for PFHxS, PFNA and GenX, and a hazard index of 1 for mixtures. Utilities were given until 2029 to comply. In May 2026 EPA proposed keeping only the PFOA and PFOS limits and moving that deadline to 2031. Until that proposal is final, the 2024 limits stand.
Compliance is judged on a running annual average at each entry point, so we show the average at this system's worst sampling point next to its single highest result. UCMR 5 results do not by themselves put a utility in or out of compliance.
What you can do at home
Two routes work for PFAS. For drinking and cooking water only, a reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI 58 with a PFOA/PFOS reduction claim is the cheapest proven option. To treat every tap and shower, a whole-house carbon system with enough contact time works, but check that the maker has PFAS test data, not just a marketing claim. See the best filters for PFAS and how PFAS removal works.
Other systems in California
- Beverly Hills-city, Water Dept. none detected
- Gswc - Claremont above an EPA limit
- City of San Juan Capistrano none detected
- City of Calexico none detected
- San Dieguito WD 4 PFAS detected
- Lompoc-city Water Utility Div none detected
All 707 tested systems in California
ZIP codes served
92301
As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.
Cite this page
Well & Tap. "PFAS in City of Adelanto water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID CA3610001. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/california/city-of-adelanto/
About this data
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID CA3610001). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.