Tap Water Results

Is Placentia, CA tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Western Municipal Water District. 3 PFAS were detected below the limits.

3 public water systems serve parts of Placentia. The largest, Western Municipal Water District, serves 87,955 people, and one system here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Western Municipal Water District

87,955 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID CA3310049

Buys treated water from City of Riverside, Eastern Municipal Water District, Metropolitan Water District of SO. Cal., Western Municipal Water District (Arlington), Chino Basin Desalter Authority – Desalter 2.

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Detected, below limit
0.85 ppt10 pptDetected, below limit
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 1.3 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full Western Municipal Water District results

Across California, 129 of 691 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 26 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. California results.

Placentia homes and lead pipes

60%
of homes built before 1980 (California 56%, US 50%)
4%
built before 1950 (California 14%)
36%
of households rent (California 44%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Placentia city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Placentia

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Brea 3 mi
Yorba Linda Water District
Yorba Linda Water DistrictNone above limits0 ppb
Fullerton 4 mi
City of Fullerton
City of FullertonAbove limit1.5 ppb
Yorba Linda 5 mi
Yorba Linda Water District
Yorba Linda Water DistrictNone above limits0 ppb
Anaheim 6 mi
City of Anaheim
City of AnaheimAbove limit0 ppb
La Habra 6 mi
Suburban Water Systems-Whittier
Suburban Water Systems-WhittierAbove limit0 ppb
Orange 7 mi
City of Orange
City of OrangeAbove limit2.33 ppb
Placentia ZIP codes (1)
  • 92870

Questions

Is Placentia tap water safe to drink?

Western Municipal Water District has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Placentia, CA?

3 public water systems serve parts of Placentia. The largest is Western Municipal Water District (87,955 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Placentia tap water have PFAS?

Western Municipal Water District had 3 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Placentia homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 60% of Placentia homes as built before 1980 (California: 56%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Western Municipal Water District's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.