Location: The Grassy Waters Preserve, AKA, the City of West Palm Beach Water Catchment Area, is located on both the North and South sides of Northlake Boulevard. The preserve is also home to the Grassy Waters Nature Center, located one mile west of the Beeline Highway (710) and approximately four miles West of I-95.

Overview: This twenty square mile wetlands site is the source of the majority of the City of West Palm Beach's drinking water. Seventy five percent of our raw water comes from the preserve with the remaining twenty five percent emanating from Lake Okeechobee.

History: The Water Catchment area was purchased form the Flagler Water Systems Company in 1955. In 1964 the property was given special protection for use as a water supply point. The Public Utilities Department supported a City goal of providing public education and exposing visitors to the beauty of South Florida's natural environment by designing and building the nature center.

The project included the mitigation of approximately sixty acres in the immediate and surrounding area of the preserve. Non-native trees and plants were removed and replaced with native plants, returning the area to its natural wetland state.

In addition to the construction of the North side pavilion and the South side nature center, Public Utilities oversaw the construction of restroom facilities and the installation of 1100 feet of board walk through the wetlands. Under construction are a canoe launching pad on the South side and an outdoor auditorium on the North side both of which will add to visitor enjoyment.

The Grassy Waters Nature Center is managed by the Parks Department, funded and maintained by the Public Utilities Department, City of West Palm Beach.