Orange County and the City of Yorba Linda offer possible lessons for responding to PFAS in Maryland.
In response to severe PFAS contamination, Yorba Linda, California, constructed the nation’s largest ion exchange water treatment facility, operational since 2021. This plant effectively eliminates PFAS from the water supply, serving 80,000 residents. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals linked to health issues such as certain cancers and liver damage. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 158 million Americans are exposed to PFAS through drinking water. Yorba Linda’s initiative places it ahead of the EPA’s compliance deadline, showcasing a successful model for PFAS remediation.
For Maryland counties, Yorba Linda’s approach offers valuable lessons in proactively addressing PFAS contamination. Over the past decade, Orange County, California, has prioritized collaboration with its municipalities—such as Yorba Linda—to develop advanced water treatment facilities. The county has taken wells with high PFAS levels offline and focused on upgrading critical infrastructure to ensure clean drinking water. As a result, residents now receive water free of PFAS, but these improvements have come with significant financial costs.
Despite using multi-jurisdictional cost-sharing agreements to manage expenses, local governments still implemented a 10% annual water rate increase to fund the projects. Orange County officials point to expanded state and federal funding opportunities, as well as legal settlements from PFAS-related lawsuits, as potential resources to help ease the financial burden on communities. These strategies could be especially relevant to Maryland counties planning similar long-term investments in water safety.