West Palm Beach, FL: 102 Health Violations — 83/100 (2026)
17 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
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.
How West Palm Beach Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: West Palm Beach, FL
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across West Palm Beach.
West Palm Beach Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 238 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0014 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 53% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,188 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.63 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving West Palm Beach
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in West Palm Beach, FL — out of 6 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 17 ZIP codes in West Palm Beach, Florida (population ~388,455), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 928,100 people region-wide.
17 of 17 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 102 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for West Palm Beach: B (83/100)
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
West Palm Beach water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0014 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): 17 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 144 | 17 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 72 | 17 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 18 | 17 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 18 | 17 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33401 | B | 14 | 6 | Palm Beach County Water Utilities |
| 33402 | A | 14 | 6 | Palm Beach County Water Utilities |
| 33403 | B | 14 | 6 | Seacoast Utilities Authority |
| 33404 | B | 14 | 6 | Seacoast Utilities Authority |
| 33405 | B | 14 | 6 | Palm Beach County Water Utilities |
| 33406 | B | 14 | 6 | Palm Beach County Water Utilities |
| 33407 | B | 14 | 6 | Palm Beach County Water Utilities |
| 33409 | B | 14 | 6 | Palm Beach County Water Utilities |
| 33411 | B | 14 | 6 | Palm Beach County Water Utilities |
| 33412 | B | 14 | 6 | Palm Beach County Water Utilities |
All ZIP Codes in West Palm Beach
- 33401 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
- 33402 [A] — 14 violations ⚠
- 33403 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
- 33404 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
- 33405 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
- 33406 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
- 33407 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
- 33409 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
- 33411 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
- 33412 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
- 33413 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
- 33415 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
- 33416 [A] — 14 violations ⚠
- 33417 [B] — 14 violations ⚠
- 33419 [A] — 14 violations ⚠
- 33420 [A] — 14 violations ⚠
- 33422 [A] — 14 violations ⚠
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 West Palm Beach
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 West Palm Beach
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is West Palm Beach's Housing Stock?
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
Two dates define the high-risk tiers of residential plumbing from a lead standpoint: 1970, before which lead pipes were commonly installed for service connections, and 1986, before which lead solder was standard in copper plumbing. A median build year of 1980 places West Palm Beach's housing distribution well within that older risk zone. The bar chart above breaks down how much of the stock falls into each era — and the pre-1986 share alone represents more than half the residential inventory, making plumbing-era risk a defining characteristic of the local water safety picture.
Over half of homes in West Palm Beach 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.
West Palm Beach: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Placing remediation in the context of West Palm Beach's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in West Palm Beach are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,359–$3,782 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 6% above the Florida average.
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 53% of West Palm Beach stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for West Palm Beach
Measured against the full NFIP dataset, West Palm Beach's flood record stands out: 1527 claims accumulated over decades and 82% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated boundaries add up to a high-exposure profile where water infrastructure has faced recurrent stress.
West Palm Beach has a significant flood history with 1,527 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $4,615 per claim. With 82% 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>$2,188</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for West Palm Beach, FL