Key Biscayne, FL Water Safety: 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Key Biscayne, FL water systems: poor compliance record, lower-tier safety grade.
How Key Biscayne Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Biscayne Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 64% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.77.
Water Systems Serving Key Biscayne
2 independent water providers serve Key Biscayne, FL — 2 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Key Biscayne, Florida (population ~14,628), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 2,477,460 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Key Biscayne — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Key Biscayne: D (40/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Key Biscayne water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Key Biscayne
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33149 | D | MDWASA - MAIN SYSTEM | 2,377,460 |
All ZIP Codes in Key Biscayne
- 33149 [D]
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
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Key Biscayne
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
How Old Is Key Biscayne's Housing Stock?
With 64% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Because the majority of Key Biscayne's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1971 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Key Biscayne were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Key Biscayne: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Because property values in Key Biscayne comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Key Biscayne are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 264% above the Florida average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Key Biscayne
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 64% pre-rule share in Key Biscayne keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Key Biscayne
FEMA data places 100% of Key Biscayne's ZIP codes inside designated flood zones, and the NFIP claim record confirms the real-world impact: 1832 filed claims representing decades of documented flood events with consequences for property and, at sufficient severity, for local water infrastructure.
Key Biscayne has a significant flood history with 1,832 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $34,468 per claim. With 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,800</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Key Biscayne
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 64% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Key Biscayne, FL