Water Quality Report for West Palm Beach, Florida

Overview

West Palm Beach’s water quality is generally considered safe for consumption. The city’s water supply comes from the Grassy Waters Preserve and is treated to meet all federal and state standards¹.

Water Sources

The primary source of drinking water for West Palm Beach is the Grassy Waters Preserve. This water is treated at the East Central Regional Water Reclamation Facility, which uses advanced treatment processes to ensure the water is safe and clean¹.

Contaminants and Safety

West Palm Beach’s water undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets safety standards. The 2023 Water Quality Report indicates that the water is free from harmful levels of contaminants. However, like most public water systems, it contains trace amounts of various substances, including:

• Microbial contaminants: Such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
• 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.
• Pesticides and herbicides: Which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
• Organic chemical contaminants: Including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.
• Radioactive contaminants: Which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities¹.

Water Hardness

Water hardness in West Palm Beach is considered very hard, with levels around 317 parts per million (ppm) or approximately 18.5 grains per gallon (gpg)². This high mineral content, primarily calcium and magnesium, can lead to scale buildup in plumbing and appliances, affecting their efficiency and lifespan.

• On Appliances: Mineral deposits can build up in pipes and appliances, reducing their efficiency and lifespan.
• On Skin and Hair: Hard water can cause dryness and irritation, making it difficult to lather soap and shampoo.
• On Cleaning: It can leave spots on dishes and glassware and make cleaning more challenging.

Solutions for water hardness in West Palm Beach Florida

• Water Softeners: Installing a water softener can help reduce the hardness of the water. This is not the best option because water softeners exchange salt for hardness, adding an unhealthy amount of salt to your drinking water. Which is corrosive and bad for the environment. Its usage is also being banned in many municipalities.
• HydroFLOW: this is the best option for treating hard water. It lets you keep the healthy calcium in your water but renders it harmless by not allowing it to adhere to your plumbing and fixture surfaces. Learn more about the benefits of HydroFLOW. 

Consumer Confidence Report

The annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) provides detailed information about the water quality, including the sources of water, the types of contaminants found, and the levels of those contaminants. The latest reports can be accessed through the West Palm Beach Public Utilities Department¹.

Conclusion

West Palm Beach’s water is safe to drink and meets all regulatory standards. However, due to its high hardness, residents may experience issues related to scale buildup. Using water softeners or other treatment methods can help mitigate these effects.