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Oceanside Accepts Triennial Water‑Quality PHG Report; Staff Says Drinking Water Meets All Regulatory Standards
Summary
City staff presented the triennial public‑health‑goals (PHG) report covering 2022–2024; Oceanside meets state and federal drinking‑water regulatory standards, though seven constituents exceeded PHGs and reducing them would cost an estimated $39 million per year.
City staff on Nov. 19 presented the required triennial report on water quality relative to public health goals — an informational study that identifies contaminants detected above non‑regulatory PHG levels and estimates the cost to reduce them to PHG levels.
Jordan Alejo, environmental compliance officer for the Water Utilities Department, told council the city routinely tests roughly 90 substances and that while seven constituents exceeded PHGs in the 2022–2024 study window, Oceanside’s drinking water continues to meet all California Division of Drinking Water and U.S. EPA regulatory standards (MCLs). Alejo said the best‑available technologies for reducing those constituents to PHG levels were estimated to cost roughly $39 million per year.
During the public‑hearing portion, Jimmy Knott and other commenters raised local concerns about taste, PFAS, the possible presence of pharmaceutical residues, and whether privately operated sub‑systems (for example, water systems inside mobile‑home parks that connect to the city mains) are tested; Knott also asked whether park restrooms should be added to serve congregate trail users. Staff confirmed the report is an informational mandate and that MCLs — the enforceable standards — are being met.
Council noted the public comments were received and voted to accept the report. No enforcement action resulted from the acceptance; staff said the report and its cost estimates will inform future CIP and water‑quality planning.
