Table of Contents
Can You Drink Tap Water in Palm Coast?
Yes, Palm Coast's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Palm Coast has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.
According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Palm Coast's water utility, Palm Coast Utility, had 1 non-health-based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. The last violation for Palm Coast was resolved on Dec. 31, 2021. This assessment is based on the Palm Coast Utility water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.
While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.
The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.
Water Quality Report for Palm Coast Tap Water
The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Palm Coast tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.
Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.
EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.
There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.
We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Palm Coast's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.
Palm Coast Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years
Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Palm Coast Utility for Palm Coast in Florida. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.
From Jan. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2021, Palm Coast had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) which falls into the Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code group, and the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Is there Lead in Palm Coast Water?
Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Palm Coast water system, Palm Coast Utility, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0009 mg/L of lead in Palm Coast water. This is 6.0% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Palm Coast contained more lead.
While Palm Coast water testing may have found 0.0009 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.
No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.
Are there PFAS in Palm Coast Tap Water?
Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be no military bases near Palm Coast with suspected leaks.
With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Palm Coast has been evaluated for yet.
Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.
Palm Coast SDWA Violation History Table - Prior 10 Years
| Compliance Period | Status | Health-Based? | Category Code | Code | Rule Code | Contaminant Code | Rule Group Code | Rule Family Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/01/2021 - 12/31/2021 | Resolved | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) | Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) | Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (2456) | Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) | Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) |
What do these Violations Mean?
Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.
Health Based Violations
- Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
- Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
- Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.
Non-Health Based Violations
- Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
- Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
- Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.
SDWA Table Key
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Compliance Period | Dates of the compliance period. |
| Status |
Current status of the violation.
|
| Health-Based? | Whether the violation is health based. |
| Category Code |
The category of violation that is reported.
|
| Code | A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table. |
| Contaminant Code | A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation. |
| Rule Code |
Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
|
| Rule Group Code |
Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
|
| Rule Family Code |
Code for rule family.
|
For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.
Palm Coast Water - Frequently Asked Questions
| By Phone: | 386-986-2354 |
| By Mail: | 2 UTILITY DRIVE PALM COAST, FL, 32137 |
Existing customers can login to their Palm Coast Utility account to pay their Palm Coast water bill by clicking here.
If you want to pay your Palm Coast Utility bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Palm Coast water bill.
If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Palm Coast water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.
Moving to a new house or apartment in Palm Coast means you will often need to put the water in your name with Palm Coast Utility. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.
Leaving your house or apartment in Palm Coast means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Palm Coast Utility. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.
The estimated price of bottled water
$1.82 in USD (1.5-liter)
USER SUBMITTED RATINGS
- Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility
- Water Pollution
- Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility
- Water Quality
The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Palm Coast, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).
Related FAQS
Palm Coast Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)
The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Palm Coast's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.
What Can We Expect to
Find in Drinking Water?
The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals, and in some cases radioactive material and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
A. Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.
B. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming. C. Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff and residential uses.
D. Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are
E. Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.
How This Report Shows Our Water Quality Results and What They Mean
This report shows our water quality results and what they mean to you. It also provides important information about your water and how it relates to your health. The information in this report is based primarily on 2020 facts and figures. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not require us to perform all tests every year. When necessary, some data was obtained from prior years. As directed by the agencies that regulate our industry, only values from these tests that exceeded specified criteria are included. We will notify you immediately if there is any reason for concern.
The City of Palm Coast Utility Department operates the water treatment and distribution system serving Palm Coast. Our water source is groundwater drawn through
The following information will assist you in making adjustments to your water softener, washer or dishwasher. The average hardness in Palm Coast water is:
Total Hardness: 100ppm = 5.8 grains/gal.
Calcium Hardness: 80ppm = 4.7 grains/gal.
Connecting with Water
2020 City of Palm Coast Water Quality Report
What Does Water Mean to You?
So many of us take water for granted. We turn on a sink faucet and we expect water to flow. We twist a garden hose valve knowing water will emerge. But what does using this water really mean to you?
Physically, water is a vital component for our bodies to function properly. It carries nutrients to cells and oxygen to our brain. It allows our body to absorb important nutrients and it flushes out waste and toxins.
Emotionally, spending time somewhere near water helps people unwind. The connection of the sight and sound of water increases blood flow to the brain and heart, inducing relaxation.
Environmentally, water is vital to maintaining productive, resilient ecosystems for people, plants and animals. Healthy sources carry water to communities, nourishing the wetlands and soils along the way. These sources release carbon that energizes the entire food chain and provides animals and birds with a safe place to inhabit.
Economically, water is a driver for growth, prosperity and job creation. Investments in water projects provide access to safer resources that enhance growth in communities across the world. Millions of workers are employed in the water/wastewater sector, creating careers worldwide. People also rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, raising crops and livestock to feed humanity. Finally, global transitioning to a greener economy, where water plays a central role, will lead to new sustainable careers.
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at
If you have any questions about this report or concerns about your water utility, please visit Palm Coast Connect at www.palmcoastconnect.com or contact your City of Palm Coast Utility Representative at
We would like to hear your own thoughts. Why is water important to you, your job and your family? Sharing your stories reminds us that valuing water helps preserve this precious resource for generations. Visit palmcoastconnect.com and click on the “Connecting with Water” tile. The top five most unique viewpoints submitted will earn you
a
Florida Acknowledges Palm Coast’s Water
4th - Flagler County’s ranking in the Northeast Region in relation to water consumption for average residential usage.
5 |
Number of times that the Palm Coast Utility |
Department received the Best Tasting Water |
|
- award from the Florida Sector AWWA. |
Online Utility Billing – Let’s keep Palm Coast green with online paperless billing! Save paper, stamps, envelopes and time by managing your utility bill online. You can view present and past bills, make payments each month or pay monthly via automatic deduction from a credit card, checking or savings account. Go to www.palmcoastgov.com for details.
How Do I Read This?
It’s easy. The table shows the results of our water quality analyses. The column marked “Level Detected” shows the highest results from the last time tests were performed. “Likely Sources” shows where this substance usually originates. Descriptions below explain other important details. In this table you may find unfamiliar terms and abbreviations. To help you better understand these terms, we’ve provided the following definitions:
Maximum Contaminant Level or MCL: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology. Maximum Contaminant Level Goal or MCLG: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
ND: Means not detected and indicates that the substance was not found by laboratory analysis.
Parts per million (ppm) or Milligrams per liter (mg/l): One part by weight of analyte to 1 million parts by weight of the water sample. Parts per billion (ppb) or Micrograms per liter (ug/l): One part by weight of analyte to 1 billion parts by weight of the water sample. Picocurie per liter (pCi/l): Measure of the radioactivity in water. Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level or MRDL: The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal or MRDLG: The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
N/A: Means not applicable.
2020 Annual Drinking Water Quality Test Results
The City of Palm Coast Utility Department routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to Federal and State laws, rules and regulations. Except where indicated otherwise, this report is based on the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2020 for the City of Palm Coast – PWS ID # 2180863. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires monitoring of over 80 drinking water contaminants.
Those contaminants listed in the table below are the only contaminants detected in your drinking water.
Inorganic Contaminants
Contaminant and |
Dates of sampling |
MCL Violation |
Level |
Range of |
MCLG |
MCL |
Likely Source of |
|
Unit of Measurement |
(mo./yr.) |
Y/N |
Detected |
Results |
Contamination |
|||
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Erosion of natural deposits; runoff |
|
Arsenic (ppb) |
03/20 |
N |
0.21 |
ND - 0.21 |
0 |
10 |
from orchards; runoff from glass and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
electronics production wastes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge |
|
Barium (ppm) |
03/20 |
N |
0.0042 |
ND - 0.0042 |
2 |
2 |
from metal refineries; erosion of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
natural deposits |
|
Chromium (ppb) |
03/20 |
N |
0.49 |
ND - 0.49 |
100 |
100 |
Discharge from steel and pulp mills; |
|
erosion of natural deposits |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Erosion of natural deposits; discharge |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
from fertilizer and aluminum factories. |
|
Fluoride (ppm) |
03/20 |
N |
0.15 |
4 |
4.0 |
Water additive which promotes strong |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
teeth when at the optimum level of 0.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ppm. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Residue from |
|
Lead (ppb) |
03/20 |
N |
0.43 |
ND - 0.43 |
0 |
15 |
such as auto emissions and paint; lead |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
pipe, casing, and solder. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching |
|
Nitrate (as Nitrogen) (ppm) |
03/20 |
N |
0.14 |
10 |
10 |
from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
natural deposits |
|
Nickel (ppb) |
03/20 |
N |
1.5 |
ND - 1.5 |
N/A |
100 |
Pollution from mining and refining |
|
operations. Natural occurence in soil. |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Sodium (ppm) |
03/20 |
N |
51 |
N/A |
160 |
Salt water intrusion, leaching from soil |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stage 1 Disinfectant and Disinfection
For bromate, chloramines, or chlorine, the level detected is the highest running annual average (RAA), computed quarterly, of monthly averages of all samples collected. The range of results is of all the individual samples collected during the past year.
Disinfectant or Contaminant |
Dates of sampling |
MCL or MRDL |
Level |
Range of |
MCLG or |
MCL or |
Likely Source of |
|
Violation |
||||||||
and Unit of Measurement |
(mo./yr.) |
Detected |
Results |
MRDLG |
MRDL |
Contamination |
||
Y/N |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Chlorine and |
N |
3.53 |
0.8 - 5.2 |
MRDLG = 4.0 |
MRDL = 4.0 |
Water additive used to |
||
Chloramines (ppm) |
control microbes |
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Periodically throughout the year the distribution system is maintained by conversion of Chloramine to Free Chlorine disinfection for additional microbiological control
Stage 2 Disinfectant and Disinfection
If during 2020, the system had only annual or triennial results and these results were at or below the MCL, report the highest result as the level detected and the range of individual sample results as the range of results.
Disinfectant or Contaminant |
Dates of sampling |
MCL or MRDL |
Level |
|
MCLG or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Likely Source of |
|||
Violation |
|
|
MCL or MRDL |
|
|
||||||||||
and Unit of Measurement |
(mo./yr.) |
Detected |
|
MRDLG |
|
|
|
Contamination |
|||||||
Y/N |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Haloacetic Acids (five) |
05/20 |
N |
11.21 |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
MCL = 60 |
|
|||||
(HAA5) (ppb) |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TTHM [Total trihalomethanes] |
02/20 |
N |
17.32 |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
MCL = 80 |
|
|||||
(ppb) |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lead and Copper (Tap Water) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
90th |
|
Sampling |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contaminant and |
Dates of sampling |
AL Exceeded |
|
|
|
sites |
|
|
|
|
AL (Action |
Likely Source of |
|||
|
Percentile |
|
|
|
MCLG |
||||||||||
Unit of Measurement |
(mo./yr.) |
Y/N |
|
|
exceeding |
|
Level) |
|
Contamination |
||||||
|
Result |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
the AL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corrosion of household plumbing |
Copper (tap water) (ppm) |
06/19 |
N |
|
0.06 |
|
|
0 of 30 |
|
1.3 |
|
1.3 |
|
systems; erosion of natural deposits; |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
leaching from wood preservatives |
Lead (tap water) (ppb) |
06/19 |
N |
|
0.85 |
|
|
0 of 30 |
|
0 |
|
15 |
|
Corrosion of household plumbing |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
systems, erosion of natural deposits |
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of Palm Coast is responsible for providing high quality drinking water but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population.
Contaminants
Palm Coast Utility
EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.
Utility details
- Serves: 80325
- Data available: 2012-2017
- Data Source: Groundwater
- Total: 12
Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines
- Arsenic
- Chromium (hexavalent)
- Radium%2C combined (-226 & -228)
- Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Other Detected Contaminants
- Barium
- Chlorate
- Chromium (total)
- Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
- Manganese
- Nitrate
- Strontium
- Vanadium
Reminder
Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.
Sources and Resources
Sources Cited
Additional Resources
There are many things to be concerned about when it comes to tap water in Palm Coast, Florida. One of the most alarming things that have been discovered in the vast amounts of prescription drugs that are present in the tap water of Palm Coast. This fact has caused health concerns not only for those living in Palm Coast, Florida but also for people who have family or friends living nearby. People need to become educated about the effects of drugs found in tap water and how they can affect their lives.
In Palm Coast, Florida, there are three main treatment plants for the city. The primary plant is Sea World Water Park, which is responsible for processing all of the wastewater from the city. The second is Palm Canyon Water Treatment Plant, which is responsible for processing the wastewater from the city’s five schools. Palm Coast’s third plant is the Palm Coast Water Treatment Company, which serves the residents of Palm Coast.
The alarming fact about tap water in Palm Coast is that in just one day, fifty-two million gallons of untreated wastewater is discharged into the ocean! If this happens, the ocean will be overtaken by harmful bacteria and chemicals, which will potentially poison marine life. We must all do our part by refusing to use tap water, and by encouraging our municipal authorities to install these facilities so that we can enjoy clean tap water all the time.