West Palm Beach, FL: 48 Health Violations - 76/100
17 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for West Palm Beach: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (48 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
In current tracking cycles, West Palm Beach records above-average water quality outcomes for FL; compliance history over recent years shows few departures from federal standards and no systemic failures across its water systems.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS
West Palm Beach Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 174 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0025 mg/L.
Water Quality in West Palm Beach
We track home safety signals for 17 ZIP codes in West Palm Beach, Florida. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 12 ZIP codes and 8 water systems.
12 of 12 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 174 total, including 48 health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: B (76/100)
Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 84 | 12 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 37 | 9 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 26 | 4 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 9 | 4 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 7 | 7 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0025 mg/L
- 0 of 12 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
- 53% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 6% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1980
- Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 33/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 14%
- 1 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 53% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, West Palm Beach 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
170,128 total housing units across 17 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 5,591 | 3% |
| 1940–1949 | 3,315 | 2% |
| 1950–1959 | 12,756 | 7% |
| 1960–1969 | 14,862 | 9% |
| 1970–1979 | 31,563 | 19% |
| 1980–1989 | 38,213 | 22% |
| 1990–1999 | 21,155 | 12% |
| 2000–2009 | 31,850 | 19% |
| 2010–2019 | 10,043 | 6% |
| 2020+ | 780 | 0% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for West Palm Beach:
- 1,528 flood insurance claims on record
- $9,369,120 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
- 740 claims with payment data
- 788 claims without reported payment fields
- $12,661 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
- Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: B (B/X-family)
- 5 of 14 ZIP codes with claim-zone records have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims
- Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone among 17 ZIP records with zone data: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 17 ZIP codes
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33413 | 82/100 | B | 4 |
| 33415 | 81/100 | B | 6 |
| 33406 | 80/100 | B | 9 |
| 33401 | 77/100 | B | 11 |
| 33405 | 77/100 | B | 11 |
| 33409 | 77/100 | B | 11 |
| 33411 | 77/100 | B | 11 |
| 33417 | 77/100 | B | 11 |
| 33412 | 75/100 | B | 20 |
| 33403 | 72/100 | B | 23 |
Areas Needing Attention
What West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach 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)
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 West Palm Beach
- 33401 [B] - 11 violations ⚠
- 33402
- 33403 [B] - 23 violations ⚠
- 33404 [B] - 23 violations ⚠
- 33405 [B] - 11 violations ⚠
- 33406 [B] - 9 violations ⚠
- 33407 [C] - 34 violations ⚠
- 33409 [B] - 11 violations ⚠
- 33411 [B] - 11 violations ⚠
- 33412 [B] - 20 violations ⚠
- 33413 [B] - 4 violations ⚠
- 33415 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 33416
- 33417 [B] - 11 violations ⚠
- 33419
- 33420
- 33422
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in West Palm Beach, FL?
The Home Safety Score is not a drinking-water grade. West Palm Beach has an average score of 76/100 (grade B) across 12 ZIP codes with complete current-model evidence. Separately, there are 174 recorded EPA violations across 12 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts, 48 of which are health-based. Check the specific ZIP and serving utility before drawing a water-safety conclusion.
Does West Palm Beach have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across West Palm Beach is 0.0025 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 0 of 12 ZIP codes with known action-level status exceed the EPA limit. About 53% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is West Palm Beach at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 1,528 flood insurance claim records in West Palm Beach ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $12,661 among 740 claims with payment data. 788 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 14 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 5 have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims. Claim records do not establish current property-level flood risk; check the FEMA map for a specific address.
Are there lead pipes in West Palm Beach homes?
53% of West Palm Beach housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 6% 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 14%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in West Palm Beach water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Total Coliform. Across 12 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 12 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
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
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.
How Old Is West Palm Beach's Housing Stock?
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Cities with large shares of pre-1986 housing carry elevated aggregate risk from lead-soldered plumbing; West Palm Beach sits on the lower end of that spectrum. The median build year of 1980 reflects a housing stock in which post-ban construction is dominant - meaning lead-soldered copper joints are less prevalent across the city as a whole. Still, aggregate figures don't tell you what's happening inside a specific older home. Any structure built before 1986, and particularly those built before 1970 when lead pipes were commonly installed, can still present meaningful lead risk regardless of the city-wide picture.
Most homes in West Palm Beach 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.
Protecting Children from Lead in West Palm Beach
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 West Palm Beach 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.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for West Palm Beach
Historical NFIP data for West Palm Beach contains 1,528 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $12,661. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 36% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for West Palm Beach, FL