Key Largo, FL Water Safety: 50/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Monitoring data across Key Largo reveals a persistent pattern of below-average compliance in FL — multiple service areas carry documented health violations, and the data has shown little overall improvement over recent EPA reporting cycles.
How Key Largo Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Key Largo Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 53% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.76 — above typical levels.
Key Largo's Water Providers
Most residential addresses in Key Largo, FL are served by a single water utility — the dominant system among the 1 provider tracked in federal data.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Key Largo, Florida (population ~13,674), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 80,000 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Key Largo — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Key Largo: D (50/100)
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 Largo water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Key Largo
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33037 | D | HOMESTEAD, CITY OF | 80,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Key Largo
- 33037 [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.
Key Largo Community Health Snapshot
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
Key Largo Infrastructure Age
With 53% 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
What does a median build year of 1985 mean for water safety in Key Largo? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Key Largo 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Key Largo
Remediation costs in Key Largo are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Key Largo are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 95% above the Florida average.
Key Largo: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
If 53% of the Key Largo inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Key Largo: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Decades of documented flood activity appear in Key Largo's NFIP record — 2565 insurance claims filed and 100% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood designations. The scale of that record puts water infrastructure vulnerability from flooding into the concrete-risk category.
Key Largo has a significant flood history with 2,565 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $15,663 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>$1,800</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 Largo
- 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 53% 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 Largo, FL