A meaningful share of water systems in Saint Petersburg have recorded health-based violations in recent FL monitoring periods - placing the city in the lower tier for tap water safety.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19

Water Quality in Saint Petersburg

We track water quality and home safety data for 31 ZIP codes in Saint Petersburg, Florida (population ~357,666), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 905,271 people region-wide.

No EPA violations have been recorded across any ZIP codes in Saint Petersburg - an excellent indicator of water quality.

Average Home Safety Score: D (50/100)

Water sources: Surface water.

Lead Risk

• 77% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 12% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1971
• Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 56/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 23%
• 14 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 77% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Saint Petersburg residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

207,131 total housing units across 31 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Saint Petersburg:

• 33,834 flood insurance claims on record
• $2,627,288,104 total paid out
• $77,652 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: AE (High risk)
• 22 of 31 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 31 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What Saint Petersburg Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

• Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
• Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
• Check your ZIP code - each area in Saint Petersburg has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

• NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
• NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
• Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Test for Radon

• Saint Petersburg is in a moderate-risk radon area
• Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
• If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation

Stay Informed

• Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
• Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
• Review the annual water quality report from your local utility

All ZIP Codes in Saint Petersburg

• 33701 [D]
• 33702 [D]
• 33703 [D]
• 33704 [D]
• 33705 [D]
• 33706 [D]
• 33707 [D]
• 33708 [D]
• 33709 [D]
• 33710 [D]
• 33711 [D]
• 33712 [D]
• 33713 [C]
• 33714 [D]
• 33715 [D]
• 33716 [D]
• 33729 [D]
• 33730 [D]
• 33731 [C]
• 33732 [D]
• 33733 [C]
• 33734 [D]
• 33736 [C]
• 33737 [C]
• 33738 [C]
• 33740 [C]
• 33741 [C]
• 33742 [C]
• 33743 [D]
• 33747 [D]
• 33784 [D]

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Saint Petersburg, FL?

Saint Petersburg has an average Home Safety Score of 50/100 (grade D) across 31 ZIP codes. No EPA violations have been recorded. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Is Saint Petersburg at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 33,834 flood insurance claims in Saint Petersburg ZIP codes, with an average payout of $77,652. 22 of 31 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

Are there lead pipes in Saint Petersburg homes?

77% of Saint Petersburg housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 12% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 23%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Updated daily.

Housing Age Profile

Why does housing age matter for water safety? Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered copper plumbing joints - a practice banned that year. Saint Petersburg's median build year of 1971 places much of the city's housing in the post-ban era, reducing that specific risk pathway for most residents.

1971

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Saint Petersburg were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Climate-Related Water Risk for Saint Petersburg

NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Saint Petersburg accumulating 33834 claims and carrying 0% 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.

33,834

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~1692

Est. Claims/Year

Saint Petersburg has a moderate flood history with 33,834 FEMA claims. 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.

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.