West Palm Beach, FL: 48 Health-Based Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 76/100
17 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for West Palm Beach: B.
The model grade is high, but the records on this page include findings worth reviewing.
Your top priority: match a filter's certification to the violations (48 health-based violations). NSF certified filters →
Within West Palm Beach, FL, the available records add up to an upper-tier grade; that grade describes records, not the water at a given faucet.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS
West Palm Beach Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 174 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 84 | 12 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 37 | 9 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 26 | 4 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 9 | 4 |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 7 | 7 |
Lead Risk
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 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: 37/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 14%
- 3 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
17 of 17 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 3.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
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 of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of 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 are served by a system whose 90th-percentile lead result exceeded the EPA action level. 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
Most homes in West Palm Beach were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and 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 that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Available area-level lead records for West Palm Beach do not determine the lead level at an individual tap. 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