West Palm says valve malfunction behind Palm Beach water pressure issues

Repairs are underway after a valve malfunction triggered ongoing water pressure problems for some South End residents in Palm Beach.

Paul Brazil, the town's director of Public Works, said the City of West Palm Beach told the town it was working to fix the issue, which residents say have caused significant disruptions to daily life.

West Palm Beach provides water to Palm Beach under an agreement that is set to expire in 2029.

Council member Lew Crampton, who lives in the town's South End, said he spoke with Brazil after learning of the water pressure concerns and confirmed the source of the problem.

"They had a valve issue, and they're fixing it," he told the Daily News June 26.

For the past six weeks, residents of the 2560 South Ocean Boulevard building have had no water pressure between midnight and 7 a.m., they told the Daily News, leaving them with few options for completing basic tasks such as showering, cooking and cleaning.

While the pressure improves as the day goes on, they said, the water frequently has a sticky residue.

Olympia Devine, who has lived in the building intermittently for more than 15 years, said she has had to purchase filters to place on the faucets and shower heads in order to improve the water's texture.

"The quality of the water got so bad," she said. "I actually didn't know what was going on. When showering, my hair got all sticky, and weird and pasty. It was a little bit like a layer of stuff on your scalp."

Devine added that the water pressure is so low that sprinklers are not popping up, so grass and plans are not getting watered.

Cassandra Waldron, another resident of the 2560 South Ocean Boulevard building, said she’s also noticed very low water pressure in her unit during the early mornings, even though she doesn’t use much water at that time.

Waldron, director of business development at Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, said the issue has surfaced periodically for about 30 days.

"I've only experienced it with the kitchen sink," she said, "though I probably don't turn it on until after 7."

Devine said she hopes the problem will be fixed before seasonal residents return in the fall.

"I'm panicking about the South End," she said. "What's going to happen during season?"

This story has been updated to add new information.

Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at [email protected]. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.