WEST PALM BEACH, FLA (July 28, 2021) – During the July 28, 2021 meeting between the City of West Palm Beach and the Florida Department of Health (DOH), the city presented an overview of the steps it took in following state and federal guidelines, in response to DOH’s June 22 claim of possible violations by the city’s water utility. The utility followed all applicable state and federal guidelines in its reporting, response and notification of an unregulated contaminant in its finished water in May. The matter continues to be under discussion and advisement by both parties, and there will be future meetings.

“The City of West Palm Beach is committed to ensuring clean, safe drinking water for its utility customers, whose safety and satisfaction are the focus of our operation,” said Dr. Poonam Kalkat, Director of Public Utilities for the City of West Palm Beach.

Water quality test results show the city continues to be in compliance with all drinking water standards.

The city has also taken further actions to keep water safe. Additional water treatment steps are being taken to remove and destroy cyanotoxins. Supplemental groundwater wells are running, and a cyanotoxin screening tool is now in use at the water treatment plant. An expert panel of industry-leading water quality engineers and scientists convened by Mayor Keith A. James is on board and working to identify additional near-term actions and longer term solutions to safeguard water quality.