Is West Palm Beach tap water safe?

We don't give a safe or unsafe verdict. Here is what the public records show for City of West Palm Beach Water Utilities: 1 of 16 detected contaminants were above the health guidelines we use (2018-2025), 4 health-based violations were recorded since July 1, 2021 (EPA SDWIS), and the Water Score is 92/100. These records can be one to three years old and may not reflect the water at your tap. That isn't a clean bill of health or a health finding. EPA's national files don't hold sample results for most regulated contaminants. For health questions, ask your utility or your doctor.

33409 West Palm Beach water quality

Data updated October 24, 2026

Water Score · Strong

West Palm Beach Water Utilities

ZIP 33409 · West Palm Beach

Based on EPA SDWA, EPA UCMR and Florida DEP data, 2018-2025. Based on public utility data, not a test of your tap. Not medical advice.

Drinking glasses with cloudy spots — **Spots on glasses**

A faucet crusted with white buildup — **Crusty faucets**

Shower glass with a cloudy film — **Film on the shower**

A glass of tap water at a kitchen sink — **Tastes like a pool**

These show common South Florida water issues.

Arsenic90× the health guideline

Bars use a log scale. Source: EPA SDWA, EPA UCMR and Florida DEP data

About ZIP 33409

Ranked #47 of 286 Florida ZIP codes by Water Score, as of October 24, 2026. Ranked #45 of 70 Palm Beach County ZIP codes by Water Score, as of October 24, 2026.

Median home value: $282,900 (Census ACS 2023 5-year)
Median household income: $65,206 (Census ACS 2023 5-year)
Households: 11,949 (Census ACS 2023 5-year)
Owner-occupied share: 47% (Census ACS 2023 5-year)

ZCTA, approximates ZIP

Who supplies the water

ZIP 33409 is served by 2 utilities: City of West Palm Beach Water Utilities (62%); Palm Beach County Water Utilities (38%).

A neighboring ZIP code, 33401 (West Palm Beach), is served mainly by the same utility, City of West Palm Beach Water Utilities. Its Water Score is also 92/100.

Your utility at a glance

Utility: City of West Palm Beach Water Utilities
EPA water system ID (PWSID): FL4501559
People served: 132,000
Water source: Surface water
Health-based violations: 4 (EPA SDWIS, July to September 2026)

How this ZIP compares

See the full report

ZIP 33409Likely match

Water report for City of West Palm Beach Water Utilities, ZIP 33409

West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County

Data updated October 24, 2026

According to EPA water system boundaries, ZIP 33409 (West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County) is served mainly by City of West Palm Beach Water Utilities, which does not buy water from another system, according to EPA SDWA records. In EPA SDWA, EPA UCMR and Florida DEP data from 2018-2025, 1 of 16 detected contaminants are above published health guidelines. The Water Score is 92 out of 100, in the Strong band. Scored against health guidelines that are stricter than legal limits, using public utility data. Not a test of your tap.

ZIP codes can cross utility lines. Your water bill names your utility.

Water Score

Higher is better. The score starts at 100 and goes down for each contaminant above its health guideline.

Our claims cover three results: chlorine and hardness at your kitchen tap, and dissolved solids at your drinking-water faucet. Guarantee terms ›

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Every result, with its health guideline and legal limit

Each bar is the level reported for ZIP 33409. It is drawn against its own health guideline, so rows are not comparable with each other. The ink line is the health guideline, with its publisher named on each row, and the dashed line is EPA's legal limit or, for PFAS, the level in EPA's 2024 rule. Log scale: each step right is ten times more.

Arsenic0.36 ppb
Health guideline 0.004 ppb (California OEHHA 2004)Legal limit 10 ppb90× the health guideline
average of all samples
highest sample 1.6 ppb
detected in 3 of 10 samples
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)41.3 ppb
Health guideline None publishedLegal limit 80 ppb
average of all samples
highest sample 362 ppb
detected in 177 of 177 samples
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)21.1 ppb
Health guideline None publishedLegal limit 60 ppb
average of all samples
highest sample 105 ppb
detected in 177 of 177 samples
Fluoride613 ppb
Health guideline None publishedLegal limit 4,000 ppb
average of all samples
highest sample 720 ppb
detected in 96 of 96 samples
Atrazine0.04 ppb
Health guideline None publishedLegal limit 3 ppb
average of all samples
highest sample 0.14 ppb
detected in 9 of 18 samples
Nitrate125 ppb
Health guideline None publishedLegal limit 10,000 ppb
average of all samples
highest sample 180 ppb
detected in 10 of 10 samples
Barium6.63 ppb
Health guideline None publishedLegal limit 2,000 ppb
average of all samples
highest sample 8.9 ppb
detected in 9 of 10 samples
PFBS2.48 ppt
Health guideline 2,000 ppt (U.S. EPA 2022)Legal limit No federal limit
average of all samples
highest sample 3.7 ppt
detected in 6 of 8 samples

See all 16 ›

Haloacetic acids (HAA9)18.3 ppb
Health guideline None publishedLegal limit No federal limit
average of all samples
highest sample 28.1 ppb
detected in 24 of 24 samples
Lead3 ppb
Health guideline None publishedEPA action level (90th percentile) 15 ppb (EPA action level, 90th percentile)
EPA's lead action level drops to 10 ppb on November 1, 2027.
Manganese0.12 ppb
Health guideline None publishedLegal limit No federal limit
average of all samples
highest sample 0.52 ppb
detected in 2 of 8 samples
PFBA8.53 ppt
Health guideline None publishedLegal limit No federal limit
average of all samples
highest sample 11.1 ppt
detected in 8 of 8 samples
PFHpA0.78 ppt
Health guideline None publishedLegal limit No federal limit
average of all samples
highest sample 3.2 ppt
detected in 2 of 8 samples

Results for ZIP 33409: level reported, health guideline, and legal limit or action level
Contaminant	Level reported	Health guideline (publisher)	Legal limit or action level	Multiple of guideline
Arsenic	0.36 ppb. average of all samples highest sample 1.6 ppb detected in 3 of 10 samples	0.004 ppb (California OEHHA 2004)	10 ppb	90× the health guideline
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)	41.3 ppb. average of all samples highest sample 362 ppb detected in 177 of 177 samples	None published	80 ppb	Not above its guideline, or no guideline
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)	21.1 ppb. average of all samples highest sample 105 ppb detected in 177 of 177 samples	None published	60 ppb	Not above its guideline, or no guideline
Fluoride	613 ppb. average of all samples highest sample 720 ppb detected in 96 of 96 samples	None published	4,000 ppb	Not above its guideline, or no guideline
Atrazine	0.04 ppb. average of all samples highest sample 0.14 ppb detected in 9 of 18 samples	None published	3 ppb	Not above its guideline, or no guideline
Nitrate	125 ppb. average of all samples highest sample 180 ppb detected in 10 of 10 samples	None published	10,000 ppb	Not above its guideline, or no guideline
Barium	6.63 ppb. average of all samples highest sample 8.9 ppb detected in 9 of 10 samples	None published	2,000 ppb	Not above its guideline, or no guideline
PFBS	2.48 ppt. average of all samples highest sample 3.7 ppt detected in 6 of 8 samples	2,000 ppt (U.S. EPA 2022)	No federal limit	Not above its guideline, or no guideline
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)	18.3 ppb. average of all samples highest sample 28.1 ppb detected in 24 of 24 samples	None published	No federal limit	Not above its guideline, or no guideline
Lead	3 ppb	None published	15 ppb (EPA action level, 90th percentile)	Not above its guideline, or no guideline
Manganese	0.12 ppb. average of all samples highest sample 0.52 ppb detected in 2 of 8 samples

Source: EPA SDWA, EPA UCMR and Florida DEP data, 2018-2025. Educational estimate from public data, not medical advice.

What was found

Above published health guidelines (1)

Guideline basis: long-term cancer risk

Arsenic

Far above guideline

90×the health guideline

This utility: 0.36 ppbaverage of all sampleshighest sample 1.6 ppbdetected in 3 of 10 samples
Legal limit: 10 ppb
Health guideline: 0.004 ppb

Arsenic: a natural element that enters water from rock and soil deposits and from some orchard and industrial runoff. California OEHHA set a 0.004 ppb public health goal in 2004 to limit lung and bladder cancer risk; EPA's enforceable limit is 10 ppb (in effect since 2006). Source: California OEHHA

Lead

Lead: 3 ppb (90th percentile of tap samples, January to December 2025). EPA action level (90th percentile): 15 ppb.

Lead is measured at the tap in homes selected because they are most likely to have lead plumbing. EPA says lead in drinking water mainly comes from pipes, solder and fixtures in service lines and buildings, not from the water source. Your home's plumbing matters more than the utility's number. EPA's goal (MCLG) for lead is zero.

California's public health goal for lead is 0.2 ppb.

If your home is older or may have a lead service line, ask your utility (it must keep a service-line inventory) or have your tap tested by a state-certified lab.

Other contaminants detected (14)

Other contaminants detected, within their health guidelines or without one
Contaminant	This utility	Legal limit or action level	Health guideline	Years
Fluoride	613 ppbaverage of all sampleshighest sample 720 ppbdetected in 96 of 96 samples	4,000 ppb	None published	2018-2022
Nitrate	125 ppbaverage of all sampleshighest sample 180 ppbdetected in 10 of 10 samples	10,000 ppb	None published	2018-2022
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)	41.3 ppbaverage of all sampleshighest sample 362 ppbdetected in 177 of 177 samples	80 ppb	None published	2018-2022
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)	21.1 ppbaverage of all sampleshighest sample 105 ppbdetected in 177 of 177 samples	60 ppb	None published	2018-2022
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)	18.3 ppbaverage of all sampleshighest sample 28.1 ppbdetected in 24 of 24 samples	No federal limit	None published	2019-2020
PFBA	8.53 pptaverage of all sampleshighest sample 11.1 pptdetected in 8 of 8 samples	No federal limit	None published	2023-2024
Barium	6.63 ppbaverage of all sampleshighest sample 8.9 ppbdetected in 9 of 10 samples	2,000 ppb	None published	2018-2022
PFPeA	5.4 pptaverage of all sampleshighest sample 7.1 pptdetected in 8 of 8 samples	No federal limit	None published	2023-2024
PFHxA	4.45 pptaverage of all sampleshighest sample 5.5 pptdetected in 8 of 8 samples	No federal limit	None published	2023-2024
PFBS	2.48 pptaverage of all sampleshighest sample 3.7 pptdetected in 6 of 8 samples	No federal limit	2,000 ppt	2023-2024
PFHpA	0.78 pptaverage of all sampleshighest sample 3.2 pptdetected in 2 of 8 samples	No federal limit	None published	2023-2024
Radium-226	0.18 pCi/Laverage of all sampleshighest sample 1.08 pCi/Ldetected in 2 of 10 samples	Counts toward the combined 5 pCi/L limit for radium-226 and radium-228	None published	2018-2022
Manganese	0.12 ppbaverage of all sampleshighest sample 0.52 ppbdetected in 2 of 8 samples	No federal limit	None published	2019-2020
Atrazine	0.04 ppbaverage of all sampleshighest sample 0.14 ppbdetected in 9 of 18 samples	3 ppb	None published	2018-2022

Questions people ask

Utilities serving ZIP 33409
Utility	Share of the ZIP area	Role
City of West Palm Beach Water Utilities	62%	Main utility (this report)
Palm Beach County Water Utilities	38%	Also serves part of this ZIP code

Health-based violations recorded for City of West Palm Beach Water Utilities
Contaminant or rule	Compliance period	EPA return-to-compliance date	EPA status
EPA contaminant code 0300treatment technique violation, EPA violation 20250000061	Jul 1, 2024 to Jul 31, 2024	Jul 5, 2024	Resolved
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rulemaximum contaminant level violation, measured 117.225 µg/L, EPA violation 20220012182	Jan 1, 2022 to Mar 31, 2022	Feb 21, 2022	Resolved
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rulemaximum contaminant level violation, measured 112.475 µg/L, EPA violation 20220001569	Oct 1, 2021 to Dec 31, 2021	Feb 21, 2022	Resolved
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rulemaximum contaminant level violation, measured 108.75 µg/L, EPA violation 20210011773	Jul 1, 2021 to Sep 30, 2021	Feb 21, 2022	Resolved

Which water utility serves ZIP 33409?

City of West Palm Beach Water Utilities (EPA water system FL4501559) is the main utility for ZIP 33409, based on EPA Water System Boundaries (CWS service area boundaries) v3.0, March 2026 release overlaid on Census ZIP code areas. Parts of the ZIP code are also served by Palm Beach County Water Utilities (38% of the area). ZIP codes can cross utility lines, so check your water bill. Your water bill names your utility.

Does the utility serving ZIP 33409 buy water from another system?

No. EPA SDWA records (July to September 2026 extract) show no water purchases by City of West Palm Beach Water Utilities from another system.

How many contaminants in ZIP 33409 are above published health guidelines?

1 of 16 detected contaminants were above their published health guidelines in EPA SDWA, EPA UCMR and Florida DEP data, 2018-2025. The highest: Arsenic at 90 times its guideline.

How is the Water Score for ZIP 33409 calculated?

The score starts at 100. It goes down 8 for each contaminant above a cited health guideline whose source states a cancer basis, 5 for each other contaminant above its cited guideline, 5 for each of PFOA and PFOS averaging above the 4.0 ppt limit in EPA's 2024 PFAS rule, 10 for each contaminant whose average of all samples is above EPA's legal limit (instead of its guideline step), and 1 for each contaminant with a cited cancer-based guideline that is detected below it. Only guidelines with a cited document count. The lowest score is 5. Higher is better. For this report: 100 minus 8 times 1 is 92, so the score is 92.

What is the difference between a health guideline and a legal limit?

A legal limit is an enforceable standard, set by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Limits weigh health research together with the cost and feasibility of treatment. A health guideline is published by public-health sources and based on health research alone. A utility can meet every legal limit and still be above a published health guideline.

How recent is the data for ZIP 33409?

Test results cover 2018-2025. EPA compliance records come from the July to September 2026 extract. Data may be one to three years old and may not reflect water at your tap.

33409 West Palm Beach water quality

West Palm Beach Water Utilities