A Multi-Week Infrastructure Series WEEK 3 —Water Quality, PFAS and State Mandates

Meeting State Rules While Protecting Local Ratepayers

California’s drinking water regulations continue to expand in scope and complexity, placing increasing technical and financial obligations on local water agencies. As part of the City’s Water Master Planning effort, staff reviewed multiple years of water quality sampling data across Upland’s system to assess both current compliance and long-term risk. That review confirmed several known challenges common throughout Southern California, including elevated nitrates in certain groundwater wells, traces of legacy industrial solvents from historic land uses, and the growing regulatory focus on PFAS—often referred to as “forever chemicals.”

Some wells within Upland’s system require additional treatment or blending with other water sources before they can be placed into service. These actions are not discretionary. They are required to meet state and federal drinking water standards, which exist to protect public health. In 2025, the State significantly lowered PFAS notification and response thresholds, triggering new compliance obligations for water providers statewide. These changes were imposed uniformly across California and were not the result of any local policy decision.

Meeting these mandates requires substantial investment. Treatment systems for PFAS and nitrates are highly specialized, expensive to construct, and costly to operate. Compliance also involves continuous water quality monitoring, laboratory testing, regulatory reporting, trained operators, and ongoing maintenance of aging infrastructure. These are permanent responsibilities, not one-time fixes.

It is important for residents to understand a critical point: Upland does not deliver water that exceeds regulatory limits. Public health protections are being met today. However, maintaining that standard especially as regulations become more stringent, carries real operational and financial consequences. The City’s responsibility is to meet every state requirement while doing so in a disciplined, cost-effective manner that avoids unnecessary construction, oversized facilities, or wasteful spending of ratepayer dollars.

The Master Plans are designed to help the City plan ahead, prioritize investments, and comply with state mandates in the most efficient way possible—protecting both water quality and the long-term affordability of service for Upland residents.

Key Takeaways

• Some wells require treatment or blending before use to meet state standards

• PFAS regulations were significantly tightened statewide in 2025

• All water delivered to customers meets health and safety requirements

• Compliance with water quality mandates is mandatory, ongoing, and costly, making careful planning essential