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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Water quality data for 9 cities serving 787,472 residents
Palm Beach County in Florida has an average water quality score of 76/100 (Grade C) based on analysis of 9 municipal water systems. The county's water systems serve approximately 787,472 residents.
Water quality in Palm Beach County is fair, with some cities showing room for improvement. 4 cities have scores below 70, indicating elevated contaminant levels that residents should be aware of. Wellington has the best water quality at 96/100.
9 cities ranked by water quality score
| Rank | City | Score | Grade | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wellington Biggest deduction: 4 monitoring/reporting violations in the last 5 years (−4 pts) | 96 | A | 56,475 |
| 2 | Palm Beach Gardens Biggest deduction: 9 monitoring/reporting violations in the last 5 years (−9 pts) | 91 | A | 97,552 |
| 3 | Jupiter Biggest deduction: 9 monitoring/reporting violations in the last 5 years (−9 pts) | 91 | A | 94,929 |
| 4 | Boca Raton Biggest deduction: PFOS detected at up to 7.1 ppt in UCMR5 sampling (2025-01-08), at or above EPA's 4 ppt MCL (−10 pts) | 83 | B | 130,000 |
| 5 | Lake Worth Biggest deduction: PFOA detected at up to 4.1 ppt in UCMR5 sampling (2023-09-08), at or above EPA's 4 ppt MCL (−10 pts) | 71 | C | 48,000 |
| 6 | Delray Beach Biggest deduction: PFOA detected at up to 14.2 ppt in UCMR5 sampling (2023-10-10), at or above EPA's 4 ppt MCL (−10 pts) | 69 | D | 69,754 |
| 7 | Boynton Beach Biggest deduction: PFOA detected at up to 8.7 ppt in UCMR5 sampling (2024-03-05), at or above EPA's 4 ppt MCL (−10 pts) | 68 | D | 112,000 |
| 8 | West Palm Beach Biggest deduction: 3 health-based violations (MCL/treatment-technique) in the last 5 years (−30 pts) | 62 | D | 132,000 |
| 9 | Riviera Beach Biggest deduction: 1 health-based violation (MCL/treatment-technique) in the last 5 years (−10 pts) | 54 | F | 46,762 |
Real EPA readings across county water systems (lead: latest 90th percentile; PFAS: UCMR5 2023–2026; others: 2012–2019 averages)
| Contaminant | Avg Level | Max Level | EPA Limit | % of Limit | Cities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFAS (PFOA/PFOS max, UCMR5) | 11.644 ppt | 31 ppt | 4 ppt | 291.1% | 9 |
| TTHM (2012–2019 avg) | 30.767 ug/L | 51.023 ug/L | 80 ug/L | 38.5% | 9 |
| HAA5 (2012–2019 avg) | 18.895 ug/L | 28.209 ug/L | 60 ug/L | 31.5% | 9 |
| Lead (90th percentile) | 2.178 ppb | 4.4 ppb | 15 ppb | 14.5% | 9 |
| Fluoride (2012–2019 avg) | 0.38 mg/L | 0.773 mg/L | 4 mg/L | 9.5% | 9 |
| Nitrate (2012–2019 avg) | 0.154 mg/L | 0.48 mg/L | 10 mg/L | 1.5% | 8 |
| Arsenic (2012–2019 avg) | 0.044 ug/L | 0.35 ug/L | 10 ug/L | 0.4% | 8 |
| Uranium (2012–2019 avg) | 0.026 ug/L | 0.159 ug/L | 30 ug/L | 0.1% | 6 |
Recent violations across county water systems
Health-based: Treatment technique — Monthly Turbidity Exceed (Enhanced SWTR) - Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
6/30/2024
Health-based: MCL exceeded — Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, E. coli (RTCR) - Revised Total Coliform Rule
5/31/2023
Health-based: MCL exceeded — Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average - TTHM
12/31/2021
Health-based: MCL exceeded — Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average - TTHM
9/30/2021
Health-based: MCL exceeded — Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average - TTHM
6/30/2021
Health-based: MCL exceeded — Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average - TTHM
3/31/2021
Health-based: MCL exceeded — Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, E. coli (RTCR) - Revised Total Coliform Rule
7/31/2019
Health-based: MCL exceeded — Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average - TTHM
6/30/2018
Health-based: MCL exceeded — Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average - TTHM
3/31/2018
Health-based: MCL exceeded — Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average - Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
3/31/2018
Showing 10 of 20 recent violations
Water quality in Palm Beach County, Florida reflects the region's unique combination of water sources, treatment infrastructure, and environmental factors. Our comprehensive analysis examines 9 municipal water systems serving a combined population of over 787,472 residents.
The county shows moderate water quality performance, with scores ranging from 54/100 in Riviera Beach to 96/100 in Wellington. This 42-point spread indicates significant variation in water quality across the county, suggesting different water sources or treatment approaches.
The most prevalent contaminants detected across Palm Beach County water systems include PFAS (PFOA/PFOS max, UCMR5), TTHM (2012–2019 avg), HAA5 (2012–2019 avg). At least one reading averages above 50% of its EPA limit across the county's systems, worth attention from residents and utilities.
Water quality in Palm Beach County is fair but shows room for improvement. Residents in cities scoring below 70 should consider water filtration, particularly for drinking and cooking. Check your specific city's report above for personalized recommendations.
Palm Beach County has an average water quality score of 76/100 (Grade C) based on analysis of 9 municipal water systems serving 787,472 residents.
Wellington has the highest water quality score in Palm Beach County at 96/100. View the detailed report for Wellington.
Given the water quality variation across Palm Beach County, we recommend reviewing your specific city's water quality report. 4 cities have scores below 70, where filtration is particularly recommended.
Click on any city in the rankings table above to view its detailed water quality report, including contaminant levels, EPA compliance history, and filter recommendations.