CORREA PRESENTS $1,092,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO ELIMINATE PFAS CONTAMINATION FROM IMPACTED WATER WELLS

SANTA ANA, Calif. - Today, U.S. Representative Lou Correa (CA-46) presented a check for $1,092,000 in federal funding to the City of Santa Ana to fund the project to eliminate PFAS contamination from impacted water wells.

"This is the third time I have secured federal funding to support the betterment of our water, with over $5.5 million having been allocated to funding water treatment, clean water well construction, and contamination cleanup projects in our district," said Rep. Correa. "These funds will ensure compliance with California state and federal drinking water health standards and provide our residents a safe, local, drought-proof water supply for years to come. I'm proud that our cities continually rank near the top in California for meeting safety standards and know that we will continue to preserve that legacy."

"Access to clean and safe drinking water is essential to the health and well-being of our community. This $1 million investment will help Santa Ana strengthen its water infrastructure and address contaminants like PFAS, ensuring we continue to provide high-quality drinking water for our residents and future generations. We are grateful to Congressman Correa for his continued partnership and commitment to securing critical federal resources that directly benefit Santa Ana families," said Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua.

The Orange County Groundwater Basin, an underground aquifer system, supplies approximately 85% of the drinking water for 2.5 million residents in north and central Orange County. Santa Ana relies heavily on the basin, and PFAS have been detected in 15 of the city's 20 drinking water wells.

Santa Ana and other affected water retailers have built PFAS treatment facilities, a response expected to cost approximately $100 million. That burden falls on ratepayers, many of whom meet California's definition of disadvantaged or low-income. Losing this local supply would mean importing water, raising costs for the communities least able to afford it.

The federal funding secured by Rep. Correa will remove PFAS contamination from impacted wells, which will ease costs for local ratepayers and support compliance with California state and federal drinking water health standards.

Rep. Correa secured funds for this project through the FY26 community project funding process, during which the congressman secured $14.4 million for CA-46 projects.