Fullerton, CA Water Quality Report

Is Fullerton tap water safe? See PFAS and lead contamination levels for Fullerton, California. Compare to EPA limits and get filter recommendations.

Quick Answers

Is Fullerton, CA tap water safe to drink? Fullerton, CA tap water meets most federal EPA limits, but PFAS compounds have been detected at an average of 1.38 ppt across 8 compounds. A certified pitcher filter or reverse osmosis system is recommended for sensitive populations.

What contaminants are in Fullerton, CA water? Top PFAS compounds detected in Fullerton water: PFOS (41.2 ppt), PFBS (0.01 ppt), PFBA (0.01 ppt). See the full table for all monitored contaminants and comparison to EPA limits.

What filter should I use in Fullerton, CA? An NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis system is the strongest option, removing 90%+ of PFAS along with lead and arsenic. For renters or smaller households in Fullerton, an NSF-53 certified pitcher (Clearly Filtered, ZeroWater, LifeStraw) is a practical alternative. Ordinary Brita cartridges are not certified for PFAS.

Fullerton, CA Water Quality Summary

EPA testing has detected PFAS "forever chemicals" in Fullerton, CA drinking water. Recent monitoring found a peak level of 41.2 ppt across 2 water systems, representing an average of 1.38 ppt across 8 detected compounds.

Contamination Level: MODERATE – Moderate contamination – PFAS detected at meaningful levels; filtration recommended.

Top Detected Compounds

  • PFOS: 41.2 ppt (exceeds EPA 4 ppt limit for PFOA/PFOS)
  • PFBS: 0.01 ppt
  • PFBA: 0.01 ppt
  • PFOA: 0.01 ppt
  • PFHxA: 0.01 ppt

Lead in Fullerton, CA Water

EPA Lead and Copper Rule testing has recorded 19 lead samples for Fullerton water systems, with a 90th-percentile high of 0.01145 mg/L (within the EPA 0.015 mg/L action level). There is no safe level of lead for children; if your home was built before 1986, a certified NSF/ANSI 53 lead-removal filter is recommended.

EPA Violations in Fullerton, CA

Fullerton public water systems have 2 health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record, including Gross Alpha (excl. radon & uranium), Lead & Copper Rule. Health-based violations mean a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.

About the Data

The numbers on this page are drawn from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), which covers 66,000+ public water systems nationwide, including those serving Fullerton, CA's approximately 143,617 residents.

ZIP Codes Served

92831, 92832, 92833, 92834, 92835

What Fullerton, California Residents Should Do

  1. Enter your exact ZIP code at knowyourexposure.com for address-level data
  2. Install an NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis filter (removes 94-99% of PFAS)
  3. If you're in a high-exposure group (pregnant, young children), consider a PFAS home test kit
  4. Review the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) your California utility publishes annually