Oxnard – California – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
Oxnard Water provides comprehensive water services to approximately 207,000 residents in the coastal city of Oxnard, located in Ventura County, California. As part of the Calleguas Municipal Water District service area, the system serves one of the largest cities on the Central Coast with a diverse water supply portfolio that ensures reliability and quality. The utility operates through a three-source blending strategy that combines imported surface water, regional groundwater, and local groundwater sources.
Oxnard’s water supply consists of imported surface water from the State Water Project via Calleguas Municipal Water District (approximately 50%), groundwater from the United Water Conservation District’s regional supply (25%), and the city’s local groundwater wells (25%). The city also operates an advanced Groundwater Desalter facility that utilizes reverse osmosis technology to treat brackish groundwater, removing excessive salts and minerals while maintaining water quality standards. This innovative approach allows Oxnard to maximize the use of local water resources while ensuring consistent water quality and supply reliability for residents, businesses, and agricultural operations in this coastal agricultural region.
Oxnard Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- PFAS Monitoring: Recent comprehensive testing confirms that PFAS contaminants have not been detected in any of Oxnard’s water sources, with safeguards in place to protect drinking water from these emerging “forever chemicals.”
- Lead and Copper Compliance: Oxnard maintains full compliance with EPA Lead and Copper Rule requirements, with testing showing levels well below federal action limits due to corrosion control treatment and pH optimization.
- Comprehensive Testing Program: The city conducts hundreds of laboratory tests annually from sample points throughout the distribution system, consistently meeting or exceeding all state and federal water quality regulations.
Water Sources
- State Water Project: Imported surface water from Northern California through Calleguas Municipal Water District provides approximately 50% of supply, treated at the Joseph Jensen Filtration Facility.
- Regional Groundwater: United Water Conservation District supplies 25% through the Oxnard-Hueneme Pipeline, sourcing water from the Santa Clara River and spreading grounds for aquifer recharge.
- Local Groundwater: City wells extract water directly from the Oxnard Plain aquifer systems (Upper and Lower Aquifer Systems), providing 25% of the supply with chlorine disinfection and blending at strategic locations.
Advanced Treatment Technology
- Groundwater Desalter: State-of-the-art reverse osmosis facility operational since 2008, capable of producing up to 7.5 million gallons per day while removing excess salts, minerals, and potential contaminants including PFAS.
- Multi-Source Blending: Strategic blending stations throughout the city optimize water quality, quantity, and cost by combining treated water from all three sources to meet specific community needs.
- Aquifer Storage Recovery: The city is expanding its water supply reliability through a $48 million EPA WIFIA-funded project to increase recycled water capacity by 14.4 million gallons per day, scheduled for completion in 2027.
Infrastructure Modernization
- Groundwater Management: Partnership with Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency to address overdraft and seawater intrusion, implementing sustainable groundwater management plans to protect long-term water security.
- Advanced Water Purification: Expansion of recycled water treatment capacity through the Aquifer Storage Recovery Project, reducing dependence on imported water and enhancing drought resilience.
- Distribution System Optimization: Ongoing improvements to the water distribution network, including real-time monitoring systems and infrastructure upgrades to maintain water quality from source to tap.
Customer Protection Initiatives
Oxnard Water provides extensive customer support through various programs, including participation in Metropolitan Water District conservation programs and comprehensive water quality reporting. The utility offers annual Consumer Confidence Reports detailing water quality test results and source information to ensure transparency. Educational outreach helps residents understand water conservation practices, quality standards, and the value of their diverse water supply. Oxnard’s commitment to water quality includes proactive monitoring for emerging contaminants like PFAS, investments in advanced treatment technology, and partnerships with regional water agencies to ensure sustainable, safe drinking water while preparing for future challenges including population growth, climate variability, and groundwater sustainability requirements.
Recommendations for Oxnard Residents
Monitor Water Quality
Review Oxnard’s annual Consumer Confidence Report at oxnard.gov/CCR for detailed water quality information. Contact the Water Service Center at (805) 385-8136 with questions about water quality or to report any taste, odor, or pressure concerns.
Take Advantage of Rebates
Apply for water conservation rebates through Oxnard’s partnership with Calleguas and Metropolitan Water Districts. Visit socalwatersmart.com or call (888) 376-3314 for turf replacement, high-efficiency appliances, and smart irrigation controller rebates.
Consider Home Filtration
While Oxnard’s water meets all safety standards, homes may benefit from NSF-certified filters for drinking and cooking water. Point-of-use filtration can provide additional peace of mind and improve taste preferences.
Practice Water Conservation
Visit bewaterwise.com for conservation tips, landscape classes, and water-wise garden inspiration. Use the online water calculator to determine proper irrigation amounts and sign up for newsletters with water-saving ideas.
Stay Informed
Contact Oxnard Water Service Center at (805) 385-8136 for billing questions or water quality concerns. Access your utility bill information and pay online securely through the Click2Gov system at oxna-egov.aspgov.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oxnard’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Oxnard’s tap water is safe and meets or exceeds all stringent state and federal water quality regulations. The city’s water supply combines imported surface water, regional groundwater, and local groundwater sources that undergo comprehensive treatment and testing.
Oxnard conducts hundreds of laboratory tests annually from sample points throughout the distribution system. The city’s advanced Groundwater Desalter uses reverse osmosis technology to remove excess salts and minerals, while strategic blending stations optimize water quality. Recent testing confirms no PFAS contamination in any water sources, and the utility maintains full compliance with EPA Lead and Copper Rule requirements.
Where does Oxnard get its water?
Oxnard uses a three-source water supply strategy for reliability and quality:
1. Imported Surface Water (50%): State Water Project water from Northern California, delivered through Calleguas Municipal Water District and treated at the Joseph Jensen Filtration Facility
2. Regional Groundwater (25%): United Water Conservation District supplies water through the Oxnard-Hueneme Pipeline, sourced from Santa Clara River diversions and spreading grounds
3. Local Groundwater (25%): City wells extract water from the Upper and Lower Aquifer Systems of the Oxnard Plain, with additional treatment through the Groundwater Desalter facility
This diverse supply portfolio helps ensure water security during droughts and other supply challenges.
Are there PFAS “forever chemicals” in Oxnard’s water?
No, recent comprehensive testing confirms that PFAS contaminants have not been detected in any of Oxnard’s water sources. The city has proactively tested for these emerging contaminants and has safeguards in place to protect drinking water.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic chemicals that have been widely used since the 1940s in products like non-stick cookware, firefighting foams, and food packaging. Oxnard’s Groundwater Desalter facility, which uses reverse osmosis treatment, is capable of removing PFAS if they were ever detected.
The city continues monitoring for PFAS as EPA finalizes new federal drinking water standards and remains committed to protecting residents from these and other emerging contaminants.
What conservation programs are available in Oxnard?
Oxnard offers extensive water conservation programs through partnerships with Calleguas and Metropolitan Water Districts:
Rebate Programs:
• Turf replacement rebates (up to $3 per square foot for drought-tolerant landscaping)
• High-efficiency toilet rebates ($40-$65 per toilet)
• Smart irrigation controller rebates
• High-efficiency washing machine rebates ($85+)
Additional Resources:
• Free water use surveys for residential and commercial properties
• Educational classes and workshops
• Access to bewaterwise.com for garden inspiration and conservation tips
Apply online at socalwatersmart.com or call (888) 376-3314 for more information.
Contaminants of Concern
Nitrates
Source: Agricultural fertilizers, septic systems, and manure storage operations that leach into groundwater, particularly common in agricultural areas like the Oxnard Plain
Health Effects: Elevated levels can cause methemoglobinemia or “blue baby” disease, particularly dangerous for infants, pregnant women, and individuals with specific enzyme deficiencies
Current Status: Monitored regularly in all groundwater sources with levels maintained below EPA maximum contaminant levels through source blending and treatment EPA Limit: 10 mg/L (10 ppm) as nitrogen
Salinity and Minerals
Source: Naturally occurring minerals in groundwater and potential seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers, particularly affecting the Oxnard Plain Pressure Basin
Health Effects: High levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) can affect taste and may contribute to kidney stone formation; excessive sodium levels may affect individuals on low-sodium diets
Current Treatment: Groundwater Desalter facility uses reverse osmosis to remove excess salts and minerals, producing up to 7.5 million gallons per day of treated water EPA Guidelines: 500 mg/L TDS (secondary standard for taste)
Please read – our information
The information presented on cleanairandwater.net is compiled from official water quality reports, trusted news sources, government websites, and public health resources. While we strive for accuracy and thoroughness in our presentations, we are not scientists, engineers, or qualified water quality professionals.
Our mission is to present water quality information in an accessible, real-world format that helps people understand what’s in their water and make informed decisions about their health and safety. We believe that complex environmental information should be available to everyone in a format that’s easy to understand.
We make every effort to ensure our content is current and accurate, but we cannot guarantee that all information is complete or error-free. This website should not replace official communications from your local water utility or health department. We always recommend consulting official sources for the most up-to-date information regarding your specific water system.
Clean Air and Water is not liable for any unintentional errors, omissions, or outdated information. The content on this site is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice.
