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The U.S. Congress enacted the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974.
This act required the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a national program to protect public water supplies. EPA was also given the authority to establish national standards for known
or suspected drinking water contaminants.
In Florida the Federal drinking water standards are enforced by two state agencies: the Department of Health and the Department of Environmental
Protection. In Palm Beach County the authority for the regulation of public water supply systems has been delegated by these agencies to the Palm Beach County Health Department (PBCHD). If you have any
questions regarding the public water supply system in your area please contact the Drinking Water Section of PBCHD at (561) 355-3070.
Water supply systems are regulated under the Safe Drinking
Water Act if drinking water is provided to at least 25 persons or at least 15 service connections. These include the large water systems that provide service to municipal and incorporated areas as well
as the small systems that may only serve a convenience store or day care center. PBCHD conducts a surveillance program to ensure that the systems are being operated in compliance with Federal, State, and
local regulation.
The safety of our drinking water supply is critical to the health of residents and visitors of Palm Beach County. Waterborne-disease outbreaks or other adverse health effects
could result from deficiencies in public water systems, such as inadequate treatment or improper operation. In addition water resources could become contaminated by natural and man-made pollutants; such
pollutants could include leakage from waste disposal, discharges from factories, accidental spills of chemicals, illegal dumping, and leakage from underground storage tanks.
Incidents of
contamination are very rare because sanitary surveys, inspections, and sampling are routinely performed by PBCHD to verify that water treatment plants are in compliance with rules and regulations.
Complaints relating to water quality are investigated on a regular basis and necessary enforcement actions are taken to ensure the safety of the water supply.
Water supply systems that provide
drinking water to less than 25 persons or less than 15 service connections are not required to meet the stringent standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act. However, such systems are monitored for
compliance with other State and County regulations. PBCHD inspects these systems routinely every quarter and conducts sampling for bacteria.
Water wells that supply water to one or two residences
(one of which may be a rental) are categorized as "private" systems and are not monitored routinely. PBCHD provides guidance to property owners regarding private systems and conducts periodic
surveys to test the bacteriological quality of well water in areas that are on septic tank systems. Also, those wells in proximity to gasoline stations with leaking underground tanks are periodically
tested for petroleum contamination.
The PBCHD is also responsible for review of permit applications for the construction of water distribution systems/water main extensions, water treatment plants
(both new and modified) and private wells.
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