Santa Ana considers opposing EPA rollbacks on drinking water regulations

Santa Ana considers opposing EPA rollbacks on drinking water regulationsThe California municipality is exploring a local ordinance that would require City Council approval for any future changes to its drinking water standards, aiming to protect local water quality from federal deregulation.

Councilmember Phil Bacerra introduced a proposal to protect local water quality oversight.

City staff may be directed to draft a formal letter opposing U.S. EPA proposals to rescind federal regulations for certain drinking water contaminants.

A proposed local ordinance would mandate City Council approval before any alterations to Santa Ana's drinking water standards.

The Santa Ana City Council is evaluating a pushback against federal environmental rollbacks, considering a formal stance against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposals to rescind drinking water regulations for specific contaminants. During the June 16, 2026, meeting, the Council took up a discussion item introduced by Councilmember Phil Bacerra regarding the city's drinking water standards. The proposal considers directing the City Manager and municipal staff to draft a letter explicitly expressing Santa Ana's opposition to the EPA's planned regulatory rescissions for certain drinking water contaminants. In addition to the federal opposition, the city is looking to tighten its own local oversight. The agenda item includes a directive to draft a new city ordinance that would require explicit City Council approval before any changes can be made to Santa Ana's local drinking water standards and regulations. The dual approach aims to address the municipality's water quality standards amid potential federal deregulation by cementing local legislative control over how drinking water is regulated within the city's jurisdiction. Advancement of the initiative will depend on the drafting and subsequent review of both the opposition letter and the proposed ordinance.