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Is West Palm Beach Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:47 pm, August 1, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in West Palm Beach?

Yes, West Palm Beach's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as West Palm Beach 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, West Palm Beach's water utility, West Palm Beach Wtp, had 4 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 West Palm Beach was resolved on March 31, 2022. There has been an active violation for E. COLI since Sept. 1, 2011. This assessment is based on the West Palm Beach Wtp 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 West Palm Beach Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

West Palm Beach Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named West Palm Beach Wtp for West Palm Beach in Florida. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

From Jan. 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022, West Palm Beach had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average 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: TTHM.

From Oct. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2021, West Palm Beach had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average 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: TTHM.

From July 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2021, West Palm Beach had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average 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: TTHM.

From April 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021, West Palm Beach had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average 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: TTHM.

For the compliance period beginning July 1, 2016, West Palm Beach had 2 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violations with the violation category being Other Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Consumer Confidence Report Inadequate Reporting which falls into the Other rule code group, and the Consumer Confidence Rule rule code family for the following contaminant codes: Consumer Confidence Rule, Consumer Confidence Rule.

For the compliance period beginning Sept. 1, 2011, West Palm Beach 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, Source Water (GWR) which falls into the Microbials rule code group, and the Groundwater Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: E. COLI.

From Sept. 1, 2011 to Sept. 30, 2011, West Palm Beach had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Failure to Conduct Assessment Monitoring which falls into the Microbials rule code group, and the Groundwater Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: E. COLI.

Is there Lead in West Palm Beach Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the West Palm Beach water system, West Palm Beach Wtp, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0024 mg/L of lead in West Palm Beach water. This is 16.0% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from West Palm Beach contained more lead.

While West Palm Beach water testing may have found 0.0024 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 West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach 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.

West Palm Beach 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
01/01/2022 - 03/31/2022 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) TTHM (2950) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)
10/01/2021 - 12/31/2021 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) TTHM (2950) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)
07/01/2021 - 09/30/2021 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) TTHM (2950) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)
04/01/2021 - 06/30/2021 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) TTHM (2950) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)
07/01/2016 - Resolved No Other Violation (Other) Consumer Confidence Report Inadequate Reporting (72) Consumer Confidence Rule (420) Consumer Confidence Rule (7000) Other (400) Consumer Confidence Rule (420)
07/01/2016 - Resolved No Other Violation (Other) Consumer Confidence Report Inadequate Reporting (72) Consumer Confidence Rule (420) Consumer Confidence Rule (7000) Other (400) Consumer Confidence Rule (420)
09/01/2011 - Unaddressed No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Source Water (GWR) (34) Ground Water Rule (140) E. COLI (3014) Microbials (100) Groundwater Rule (140)
09/01/2011 - 09/30/2011 Archived No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Failure to Conduct Assessment Monitoring (19) Ground Water Rule (140) E. COLI (3014) Microbials (100) Groundwater Rule (140)

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

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
show details
Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
show details
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.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
show details
Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
show details
Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

West Palm Beach Water - Frequently Asked Questions

WHERE DOES OUR WATER COME FROM?
Lake Mangonia Grassy Waters Preserve The City of West Palm Beach gets its water from rainfall captured and stored in a part of the Everglades Ecosystem known as the Grassy Waters Preserve. This system feeds and sustains Lake Mangonia and Clear Lake. On occasion in past years, the city has been able to supplement its water supply from Lake Okeechobee. The city has designed and implemented several innovative and cost-effective projects to increase the city’s water conservation efforts andCity ofprovideWest Palm Beach alternative sources of water in times of drought. Efforts include the RenaissancGrassy Waterse Storm Water Project, Aquifer Storage and Recovery, the C-17 canal pump station, and well- field management. The city acquired approximately 49.2 million gallons of finished drinking
HOW DO I CONTACT WEST PALM BEACH CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the West Palm Beach water provider, West Palm Beach Wtp, please use the information below.
By Phone: 561-822-1300
By Mail: 401 CLEMATIS STREET, 4TH FLOOR
WEST PALM BEACH, FL, 33401
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR WEST PALM BEACH WTP
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their West Palm Beach Wtp account to pay their West Palm Beach water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your West Palm Beach Wtp 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 West Palm Beach water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your West Palm Beach 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.

HOW TO START & STOP WEST PALM BEACH WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in West Palm Beach means you will often need to put the water in your name with West Palm Beach Wtp. 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.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in West Palm Beach means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with West Palm Beach Wtp. 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.

Stop Service Form

The estimated price of bottled water

$1.87 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

West Palm Beach tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 35% Low
  • Water Pollution 67% High
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 65% High
  • Water Quality 33% Low

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in West Palm Beach, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

Where does our water come from?

Lake Mangonia

Grassy Waters Preserve

The City of West Palm Beach gets its water from rainfall captured and stored in a part of the Everglades Ecosystem known as the Grassy Waters Preserve. This system feeds and sustains Lake Mangonia and Clear Lake. On occasion in past years, the city has been able to supplement its water supply from Lake Okeechobee. The city has designed and implemented several innovative and cost-effective projects to increase the city’s water conservation efforts andCity ofprovideWest Palm Beach alternative sources of water in times of drought. Efforts include the RenaissancGrassy Waterse Storm Water Project, Aquifer Storage and Recovery, the C-17 canal pump station, and well- field management. The city acquired approximately 49.2 million gallons of finished drinking

water from the Palm Beach County public water system (# 4504393) during 2020.

Clear Lake

Protect our

When you use tap water, you are

of the ecosystem while also ensuring

contributing to the demand on our

our water supply. Reducing your water

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local water source, the Grassy Waters

consumption can reduce the burden on

by saVing water

Preserve. The city carefully manages this

this precious reource and protect our

natural resource to balance the needs

watershed while also saving your money!

Here are Some Simple Tips to Conserve Water:

OUTDOORS

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  • Do not over water your lawn or add excess fertilizer, especially if you live near Lake Mangonia or Clear Lake.
  • Water lawns in the early morning when temperatures are cooler.
  • Plant natives versus exotics.
  • Ensure sprinkler systems are in good working order. Replace washers, and check that hoses don’t leak.
  • Cutting grass more often and at taller blade height will help to maintain precious ground moisture and provide shade to moist ground.
  • Follow Xeriscape techniques by using mulch around garden areas, and use soil amendments like compost. Select plants that require low water for maintenance and water efficiently.
  • Use a blower/broom to remove debris from sidewalks, driveways and patios instead of water from a hose.

Take shorter showers. Shut off the water while lathering with soap or shampoo.

  • Hand wash dishes by using two water basins: one to wash and one to rinse dishes. Use automatic dishwashers when they are full.
  • Do not thaw meat by running water, instead thaw in the refrigerator or use the microwave defrost setting.
  • Do not leave the water running while brushing your teeth, washing, or shaving.
  • While waiting for water to become hot, capture the cooler water for plant watering or for microwave/stove heating.
  • Check your home for water leaks. Areas to inspect are toilets, faucets and aerators. Unusually high water meter readings from your utility bill can signal a leak.
  • Select a water faucet or shower head with flow restrictors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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-2222 (TTY: 800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

please dial (561) 822

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For questions or copies of previous year’s reports, please contact the Laboratory Manager at (561) 822-2269.

To contact the Department of Public Utilities, please dial (561) 822-1060.

To contact the City of West Palm Beach, please dial (561) 822-1200 (TTY: 800-955-8771).

Yours in service,

.James

Keith A

Palm Beach

Mayor, City of West

 

2020 Informe anual de calIdad del agua potable

(561) 822-2222 (TTY: 800 955-8771)

Vi sit e n u e stro s i ti o we b e n :

wpb.org/WaterReport

We welcome your feedback so we can continue to

communicate what matters most to you.

Public Water System # 4501559

Published June 2021

 

How we turn our Source Water

 

How do contaminants get into drinking water?

 

 

into Potable Water

 

 

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water)

 

ater from Clear Lake is processed by the Water Treatment Plant

 

include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells.

 

 

As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground,

 

Wthrough conventional

filtration, lime softening, and then an

 

it dissolves naturally occurring minerals, and, in some cases,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ultraviolet (UV) and chlorination disinfection process that produces a

 

radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the

 

maximum of 47 million gallons of drinking water per day.

 

 

presence of animals or from human activity.

 

 

 

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intake screens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Microbial contaminants such as viruses and bacteria, which may

 

Clear lake

 

strain lake water

 

 

 

 

come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

livestock operations, and wildlife.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water flows through

 

 

 

• Inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals, which can

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff,

 

 

 

 

UV disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas

 

 

 

Water is fil-

PaC chamber

 

 

 

 

 

production, mining, or farming.

 

 

 

 

 

tered through

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carbon and sand

 

 

• Pesticides and herbicides which may come from a variety

 

 

 

Chemicals

7

5

 

 

 

 

 

of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and

 

 

 

are added

 

 

 

 

 

 

residential uses.

 

 

to disinfect

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Organic chemical contaminants including synthetic and volatile

 

 

 

the water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

4

 

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9

 

 

 

 

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Water flows

 

• Radioactive contaminants which can be naturally occurring or be

 

 

 

8

 

mixed in to re-

 

 

Water is pumped

 

 

 

move impurities

through set-

 

the result of oil and gas production, and mining activities.

 

to the City of

 

More chemicals

 

 

 

tling basins,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the test results contained in this report, you

 

 

are added to prevent

 

 

chemicals combine with

 

 

West Palm Beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pipeline corrosion

 

 

impurities to form

 

may find unfamiliar terms and abbreviations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

larger particals that

 

 

 

 

City of West Palm Beach’s

 

sink to the bottom

 

To help you better understand these terms,

 

 

 

Water Treatment Process

 

 

 

 

we have provided the following definitions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AL- Action Level: the concentration of a contaminant which, if

 

Source Water Assessment

 

 

 

 

 

water system must follow.

 

In 2020 the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)

 

exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a

 

 

I - Between laboratory detection limit and lab practical

 

performed a source water assessment of our system. The purpose

 

 

 

quantitation limit.

 

of the assessment was to provide information on any potential

 

LRAA- Locational Running Annual Average: the average of

 

sources of contamination in the vicinity of our wells and source

 

 

 

sample analytical results for samples taken at a particular

 

water intake. Source water investigation by the FDEP indicated no

 

monitoring location during the previous four calendar

 

potential sources of contamination within the assessment area for

 

quarters.

 

our system. As a result, the water system intake is considered to have

 

MCL-Maximum Contaminant Level: the highest level of a

 

a concern level of “low”. The assessment results are available on the

 

contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set

 

FDEP Source Water Assessment and Program Protection Website at:

 

as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available

 

 

treatment technology.

 

www.dep.state.fl.us/swapp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MCLG- Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: the level of a

 

Search by PWS # 4501559 to view the assessment.

 

 

 

contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known

 

Period covered by Report

 

 

 

 

 

or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

 

The City of West Palm Beach routinely monitors for contaminants in

 

MRDL- Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level: the highest level

 

your drinking water according to Federal and State laws, rules and

 

of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing

 

regulations. Except where indicated otherwise, this report is based on

 

evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control

 

the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 to December

 

of microbial contaminants.

 

 

MRDLG- Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal: the

 

31, 2020. The EPA requires monitoring of over 80 contaminants. The

 

 

 

level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is

 

contaminants listed in the table are the only contaminants detected

 

 

 

no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect

 

in your drinking water. As you can see, the Report illustrates that our

 

the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial

 

system had no violations. We are proud that your drinking water met

 

contaminants.

 

all Federal and State requirements.

 

 

 

 

 

N/A- Not Applicable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ND- Not Detected: indicates that the substance was not found by

 

Vulnerability to Contaminants

 

 

 

laboratory analysis.

 

Some people may be more vulnerable to

people should seek advice about drinking

 

Ppb- Parts per billion or micrograms per liter (µg/L): One part

 

contaminants in drinking water than the

water from their health care providers.

 

by weight of analyte to 1 billion parts by weight of the water

 

 

sample.

 

general population. Immunocompromised

EPA and Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

 

 

 

Ppm- Parts per million or milligrams per liter (mg/L): One part

 

people – such as someone with cancer

guidelines on appropriate means to lessen

 

 

 

by weight of analyte to 1 million parts by weight of the water

 

undergoing chemotherapy, those who

the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and

 

 

 

sample.

 

have undergone organ transplant, people

other microbial contaminants are available

 

RDL- Regulatory Detection Limit: The lowest level of

 

with HIV/AIDS or other immune system

from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline

 

 

 

contaminant that is required to be reported.

 

disorders, some elderly, and infants - can

(800-426-4791)

 

 

 

TT- Treatment Technique: A required process intended to reduce

 

be particularly at risk for infections. These

or http://water.epa.gov/drink/hotline

 

 

 

the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Quality Test Results

Contaminant and

Dates of

MCL

Highest

 

Range of

 

 

 

 

Unit of

sampling

Violation

 

MCLG MCL

Likely Source of Contamination

Monthly %/ #

Results

 

Measurement

(mo./yr.)

Y/N

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Coliform

12/20

N

0.7% / 1

 

N/A

 

 

 

0

0

Naturally found in the environment

 

 

 

Inorganic Contaminants

 

 

Contaminant and

Dates of

MCL

Level

Range of

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit of

sampling

Violation

 

MCLG

MCL

 

Likely Source of Contamination

Detected

 

Results

 

 

Measurement

(mo./yr.)

Y/N

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arsenic (ppb)

01/20

N

0.53 (I)

ND 0.53 (I)

 

 

0

10

 

Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from

 

 

 

glass and electronics production wastes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barium (ppm)

01/20

N

0.0067

 

0.0067

 

 

2

2

 

Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from

 

 

 

 

metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from

Fluoride (ppm)

01/20

N

0.57

0.45 0.57

 

 

4

4.0

 

fertilizer and aluminum factories. Water

 

 

 

additive which promotes strong teeth when

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

at the optimum level of 0.7 ppm

Nitrate (as Nitrogen)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from

01/20

N

0.18

 

0.18

 

 

10

10

 

septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural

(ppm)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sodium (ppm)

01/20

N

33.7

33.6 33.7

 

 

NA

160

 

Salt-water intrusion, leaching from soil, well

 

 

 

water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection By-Products

Contaminant and

Dates of

MCL

Level

Range of

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit of

sampling

Violation

 

MCLG

MCL

 

Likely Source of Contamination

Detected

 

Results

 

 

Measurement

(mo./yr.)

Y/N

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Chlorine

1/20 to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residual

N

3.1*

 

0.2 4.5

 

 

4

4

 

Water additive used to control microbes

12/20

 

 

 

 

(Chloramines)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chlorine (Free)

7/20

N

2.2*

0.10 3.9

 

 

4

4

 

Water additive used to control microbes

 

Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection By-Products

Disinfectant or

Dates of

MCL or

 

 

 

 

MCLG

 

 

 

Contaminant and

MRDL

Level

Range of

 

MCL or

Likely Source of Contamination

sampling

 

 

or

Unit of

Violation

Detected

 

Results

 

 

MRDL

(mo./yr.)

 

MRDLG

 

Measurement

Y/N

 

 

 

 

 

 

3/20, 6/20,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haloacetic Acids

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9/20 and

N

15.8 **

9.6 17.4**

 

 

NA

MCL = 60

By-product of drinking water disinfection

(five) (HAA5) (ppb)

 

 

12/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TTHM [Total

3/20, 6/20,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trihalomethanes]

9/20 and

N

24.0 **

17.8 30.7**

 

 

NA

MCL = 80

By-product of drinking water disinfection

(ppb)

12/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead and Copper (Tap Water)

 

 

Contaminant and Unit

Dates of

AL

90th

No. of sampling

 

 

 

AL

 

Likely Source of Contamination

sampling

Exceeded

Percent-ile

sites exceeding

 

 

MCLG

(Action

 

of Measurement

 

 

 

(mo./yr.)

(Y/N)

Result

 

the AL

 

 

 

Level)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corrosion of household plumbing systems;

Copper (tap water)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10/20

N

0.14

0 out of 101

 

1.3 ppm

1.3 ppm

erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood

(ppm)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

preservatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead (tap water) (ppb)

10/20

N

1.4

1 out of 101

 

 

0

15 ppb

 

Corrosion of household plumbing systems,

 

 

 

erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

Secondary Contaminants

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contaminant and Unit

Dates of

MCL or

 

 

 

 

MCLG

MCL or

 

Likely Source of

MRDL

Level

Range of Results

 

of Measurement

 

sampling

Violation

Detected

or

MRDL

 

Contamination

 

 

(mo./yr.)

Y/N

 

 

 

 

 

MRDLG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chloride (ppm)

 

1/20

 

N

 

48.9

 

34.7 48.9

250 ppm

250 ppm

Natural occurrence from soil

 

 

 

 

 

leaching

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sulfate (ppm)

 

1/20

 

N

 

32.5

 

25.2 32.5

250 ppm

250 ppm

Natural occurrence from soil

 

 

 

 

 

leaching

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Dissolved Solids

1/20

 

N

 

294

 

261 - 294

500 ppm

500 ppm

Natural occurrence from soil

(TDS) (ppm)

 

 

 

 

 

leaching

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lowest Running

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contaminant and

Dates of

 

TT

 

Annual Average,

 

Range of Monthly

 

 

Likely Source of

Unit of

sampling

Violation

Computed Quarterly,

MCLG

MCL

Removal Ratios

Contamination

Measurement

(mo/yr)

 

Y/N

of Monthly Removal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total organic

 

1/20-

 

N

 

1.2

 

 

1.1 1.2

NA

TT

Naturally present in

carbon (ratio)

 

12/20

 

 

 

 

the environment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unregulated Contaminants

 

 

 

Contaminant and

Dates of

MCL

Level

Range of

 

 

 

Unit of

sampling

Violation

MCLG

MCL

Likely Source of Contamination

Detected

Results

Measurement

(mo./yr.)

Y/N

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Organic Carbon

3/20

~

11.4

11.4

~

~

Naturally present in the environment

(Source Water) (ppm)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bromide (Source

3/20

~

135

135

~

~

By-product of drinking water disinfection

Water) (ppb)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAA 5 (ppb)

3/20

~

12.2

9.7 16.8

~

~

By-product of drinking water disinfection

 

 

 

HAA 6 Br (ppb)

3/20

~

10.7

8.9 14.8

~

~

By-product of drinking water disinfection

 

 

 

HAA 9 (ppb)

3/20

~

20.6

16.8 28.2

~

~

By-product of drinking water disinfection

 

 

 

To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations, which 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.

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 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 Information Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

*The results in the column indicating“Highest Level Detected” for chloramines/free chlorine is “the highest running annual average (RAA), computed quarterly, of monthly averages of all samples collected”. The range of results are the highest and lowest result from the individual sampling sites. Compliance with MCL standards are based on monthly averages.

  • The results in the column indicating “Level Detected” for TTHM and HAA5 are the highest LRAA. The range of results are the highest and lowest result from the individual sampling sites. Compliance with MCL standards are based on quarterly averages.

Important Information

About our Drinking Water

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 West Palm Beach is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but it cannotcontrol 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 for30 seconds to 2 minutesbefore using water for drinking orcooking. 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 Information Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

City of West Palm Beach Public Utilities Department completed monitoring for unregulated contaminants (UCs) as part of a study to help the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determine the occurrence in drinking water of UCs and whether or not these contaminants need to be regulated. At present, no health standards (for example, maximum contaminant levels) have been established for UCs. However, we are required to publish the analytical results of our UC monitoring in our annual Water Quality Report. If you would like more information on the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminants Monitoring Rule, please call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Contaminants


Palm Beach County Water Utilities

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: 529876
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Groundwater
  • Total: 23

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Chlorate
  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Other Detected Contaminants

  • 1%2C4-Dioxane
  • Aluminum
  • Barium
  • Chlorodifluoromethane
  • Chloromethane
  • Chromium (total)
  • Cyanide
  • Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
  • Fluoride
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Manganese
  • Molybdenum
  • Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene)
  • Nitrate
  • Nitrite
  • Oxamyl (Vydate)
  • Picloram
  • Strontium
  • Uranium
  • 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

'

This article is a basic rundown on tap water quality in West Palm Beach, Florida. For more detailed information about the quality of your drinking water, see the links below. This article looks at general issues surrounding tap water in general.

There are two types of tests that can be performed to determine whether or not your tap water contains harmful contaminants. The first test is known as the "Chlorine" test. This test requires that a sample is placed into a glass and then exposed to chlorine gas. Once the glass is left on the burner, the gas vapors will be detected by a gas analyzer.

The second test, known as the "Reverse Osmosis" test, requires that the sample is placed into a glass and then subjected to high pressure, low temperature water. The resulting liquid will contain a few molecules of chlorine.

There are a number of other methods that can be used to determine the quality of your tap water. These include testing it under a

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