Water Quality in Delray Beach, FL: 216 Violations — Grade B
Grade B · Score 78/100 · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03
Delray Beach's water is mostly safe. Minor violations exist but are primarily monitoring-related.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
Looking at EPA compliance data for Delray Beach, FL, the record shows 216 violations — findings that span health-based exceedances, monitoring lapses, and enforcement events tied to local utilities in the SDWIS database.
Water Quality Map: Delray Beach, FL
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Delray Beach
Water quality varies across Delray Beach's 8 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33445 | B | 70 | 27 | 4 | View report → |
| 33483 | B | 70 | 27 | 4 | View report → |
| 33444 | B | 75 | 27 | 4 | View report → |
| 33446 | B | 75 | 27 | 4 | View report → |
| 33484 | B | 75 | 27 | 4 | View report → |
| 33447 | A | 85 | 27 | 4 | View report → |
| 33448 | A | 85 | 27 | 4 | View report → |
| 33482 | A | 87 | 27 | 4 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Delray Beach.
Water Quality Overview
Delray Beach, Florida receives a water quality grade of B with an overall score of 78 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 3 water systems serving Delray Beach have accumulated 216 EPA violations, including 32 health-based violations. These violations are tracked across 8 ZIP codes serving approximately 69,874 people.
What Grade B Means
A grade of B indicates good compliance with EPA drinking water standards. While not perfect, Delray Beach's water systems meet the vast majority of federal requirements. Minor violations may exist but typically relate to monitoring or reporting rather than health-based standards.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Delray Beach water systems is 0.0030 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
With 56% of homes built before 1986, Delray Beach has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Delray Beach
Delray Beach is served by 3 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 69,874 people across 8 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 80 enforcement actions against water systems serving Delray Beach. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Delray Beach
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
Request your CCR — your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test — certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories — monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Delray Beach Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Delray Beach's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 56 | 8 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 32 | 8 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 32 | 8 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 16 | 8 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 8 | 8 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 8 | 8 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Delray Beach:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8 | 8 |
| 2025 | 16 | 16 |
Violations have increased from 8 in 2021 to 16 in 2025. This trend warrants monitoring.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Delray Beach. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-09-10 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-03-10 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-03-10 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2023-10-24 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-01-30 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-01-19 | State Informal Action |
| 2022-01-11 | State Filed Suit |
| 2021-09-23 | State Informal Action |
| 2021-08-18 | State Informal Action |
| 2021-06-06 | State Informal Action |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-09-10.
Delray Beach vs. Nearby Florida Cities
How Delray Beach's water quality compares to similar cities in Florida:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delray Beach | B | 216 | 3 | 69,874 |
| Fort Pierce | B | 1672 | 5 | 70,889 |
| Mid Florida | C | 0 | 2 | 70,925 |
| New Smyrna Beach | C | 51 | 4 | 68,403 |
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Delray Beach
Water quality varies across Delray Beach's ZIP codes. The table below shows the worst-scoring and best-scoring areas:
| ZIP Code | Score | Grade | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33445 | 70 | B | 27 | 4 |
| 33483 | 70 | B | 27 | 4 |
| 33444 | 75 | B | 27 | 4 |
| 33446 | 75 | B | 27 | 4 |
| 33484 | 75 | B | 27 | 4 |
| 33447 | 85 | A | 27 | 4 |
| 33448 | 85 | A | 27 | 4 |
| 33482 | 87 | A | 27 | 4 |
Common Questions About Delray Beach Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Delray Beach, Florida:
Is Delray Beach water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Delray Beach's 3 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Delray Beach tap water? Delray Beach's water receives a grade of B (78/100). There are 32 health-based violations — consider filtration.
What is the best water filter for Delray Beach? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Delray Beach vs. Florida Average
Understanding how Delray Beach compares to the broader Florida average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below — water quality can vary significantly even within Delray Beach.
ZIP Codes in Delray Beach
Delray Beach spans 8 ZIP codes. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 33444. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Water is Safe — Here's How to Keep It That Way
Grade B is excellent news. Here's what proactive homeowners do to maintain water quality:
Annual Water Testing
EPA recommends annual testing even with clean water. Home test kits: $20-$50. Catches changes before they become problems.
Maintenance Filtration
A basic carbon filter removes chlorine taste and catches emerging contaminants like PFAS that aren't yet fully regulated.
Plumbing Check
Even safe city water picks up lead from home pipes. If your home was built before 1986, a one-time pipe inspection is recommended.