Blistering report reveals details on Riviera Beach fecal contamination cover-up
A newly released office of the inspector general's investigation into Riviera Beach's water contamination scandal faults the four top directors and managers of the City Utility District for inadequate supervision, misleading the state and the public, and even altering water test results to hide fecal contamination.
The Palm Beach County inspector general's investigative report took direct aim at former Utilities Department Executive Director Michael Low, who investigators say failed to provide adequate supervision.
They also say Low "misled the public, his supervisors and the FDOH by stating without any regulatory or technical basis, that a water sample that tested present for bacteria was a 'false present.'"
Investigators say Water Treatment Plant Superintendent Melvin Pinkney, in one instance, "failed to immediately report fecal contamination to the FDOH as required and didn't put out a public boil water notice. Instead, the contamination was reported weeks later with no boil water notice to the public."
Investigators also cited Utility District Compliance Manager Anthony Williams, saying he "repeatedly and intentionally failed to report results to the DOH and provided false, altered or misleading information."
Investigators asked Williams why he only reported negative bacteria results and not ones that showed present contamination.
OIG: Do you know why you're only submitting negatives and not "presents" I mean, this is happening over and over again. I'm not showing just one instance.
Williams: Not too sure.
Williams said the direction not to report the presence of bacteria came from his bosses, Pinkney and Low, and he understood they did not want to put wells out of service which would force them to buy water from Seacoast Utilities, which he said would end up costing the city more money.
Low told investigators he never told his staff to alter or change the water testing reports.
A fourth manager, District Assistant Executive Director Steven Doyle, was cited because he "Also failed to provide adequate supervision and did not ensure staff adhered to monitoring and reporting requirements,"
All four former managers and directors have either been fired, allowed to resign or resigned of their own accord.
The evidence in this report is now being reviewed by the Palm Beach County state attorney's office for possible criminal charges.
