Palatka, FL: 32 Health Violations — 63/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Palatka, water safety data for FL reveals moderate quality — federal standards are generally met, but documented exceptions exist in specific service areas.
How Palatka Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Palatka Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 142 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0015 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 16.69 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Palatka
In Palatka, FL, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 4 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Palatka, Florida, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 26,046 people.
2 of 2 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 32 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Palatka: C (63/100)
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
Palatka water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0015 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 2 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 66 | 2 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 63 | 2 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 54 | 2 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 9 | 2 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 9 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32177 | C | 71 | 16 | R. C. Willis Wtp (city of Palatka) |
| 32178 | C | 71 | 16 | R. C. Willis Wtp (city of Palatka) |
All ZIP Codes in Palatka
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 Palatka
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 Contaminants Detected in Palatka
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Palatka: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Within the Palatka market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Palatka are relatively low compared to home values. The $700–$2,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 53% below the Florida average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Palatka
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.
Lead risk in Palatka appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Palatka
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Palatka accumulating 91 claims and carrying 50% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.
Palatka has a moderate flood history with 91 FEMA claims averaging $18,324 per payout. 50% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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>$1,200</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 Palatka
- 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. Filters rated for Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Palatka's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Palatka, FL