City of WPB Under Investigation
June 23, 2021
A Warning letter from the DOH (Department of Health) sent to the City on June 22,2021 was addressed to Poonam K. Kalkat, Director of Public Utilities, and stated.
“The purpose of this letter is to advise the City of West Palm Beach of possible violation of law for which you may be responsible, and to seek your cooperation in resolving the matter.
Information provided by the City of West Palm Beach (City) to the Florida Department of Health Palm Beach County (Department) on June 3, 2021 indicates that the following violations(s) may have occurred”
4 violations are mentioned, and #1 & 2 refer to Aug. 9, 2016 and mentions cylindrospermopsin was detected in 55 samples collected at the point of entry to the distribution center in which the City failed to report these detections.
#3 & 4 violations refer to May 17 to May 26, 2021 when 8 samples exceeded the Health Advisory Level of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The City issued a public notice informing the public of the HAL exceedances on May 28,2021. The City failed to issue public notice within 24 hours of receipt of sample results that exceeded the HAL for cylindrospermopsin for four (4) of the eight (8) sample results.
The aforementioned eight (8) samples were subject to notification to the Department within twenty four (24) hours. The City failed to notify the Department on four (4) of the eight (8) samples.
Violation of Florida Statutes or Florida Administrative Code Rules may result in liability for damages, and the judicial imposition of civil penalties. Read the 2 page letter below.
You have read this far, now read how the City is attempting to get ahead of the story.
Published: Jun. 23, 2021 at 6:46 PM “West Palm Beach reports drinking water violation” The city of West Palm Beach issued a public notice Wednesday regarding a drinking water violation. The city also claims the Florida Department of Health has acknowledged that the situation is not an emergency.” Read the story below.
https://www.wflx.com//app/2021/06/23/west-palm-beach-reports-drinking-water-violation/
In closing it appears to me that Poonam K. Kalkat, Director of Public Utilities, will take the hit for following orders of someone who claims to have not know about the water situation until May 28, 2021.
The end