Yes, at low levels. 2 PFAS were detected, all below EPA's 2024 limits.
Also detected, no federal limit: PFBA, PFPeA.
Irvine Ranch Water District is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Irvine, California, serving about 444,800 people, including Irvine, Foothill Ranch, Costa Mesa, Lake Forest, East Irvine, Newport Coast. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 24 times across 8 sampling points between Mar 2023 and Jul 2025.
| PFAS | Detected | Highest | Worst point avg | EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFBA Perfluorobutanoic acid |
2 of 24 | 7.9 ppt | 7.8 ppt | none |
| PFPeA Perfluoropentanoic acid |
1 of 24 | 3.8 ppt | 1.9 ppt | none |
Not detected: ADONA, HFPO-DA, PFHpS, PFPeS, NFDHA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, PFMBA, PFMPA, 8:2 FTS, 4:2 FTS, 6:2 FTS, PFEESA, PFOS, PFBS, PFHpA, PFNA, PFTA, PFOA, PFDA, PFDoA, NEtFOSAA, PFHxS, PFTrDA, PFHxA, NMeFOSAA, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, PFUnA.
Lithium, tested in the same program: highest 67.2 ppb, detected in 18 of 24 samples. EPA's health-based screening level is 10 ppb.
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.
Levels here are under EPA's limits, so no treatment is required. If you want them lower anyway, a certified reverse osmosis system under the sink handles drinking water, and a whole-house carbon filter also takes out the chlorine or chloramine your utility adds.
All 707 tested systems in California
92602 92603 92604 92606 92610 92612 92614 92617 92618 92619 92620 92623 92626 92627 92630 92650 92657 92660 92662 92676 92679 92705 92780 92782 92869
As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.
Well & Tap. "PFAS in Irvine Ranch Water District water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID CA3010092. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/california/irvine-ranch-water-district/
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID CA3010092). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.
