Boca Raton Tap Water Violations Trigger Health Probe

The Palm Beach County Department of Health is now
looking into low pressure problems that compromise the drinking water supplies
of Boca Raton, according to documents posted today by Public Employees for
Environmental Responsibility (PEER). The South Florida city had fired two
of its key water Quality Control staff members this past December 17th for
raising similar concerns.

To protect drinking water in its distribution system from backflows of contaminated
water the City of Boca Raton must maintain pressure in its water pipes of at
least 20 pounds per square inch (psi). Yet city records show that pressure
fluctuates, falling to as low as 10 psi for long periods - and at some
points falling close to zero psi. State regulations require that public advisories
to boil tap water before using be issued if system pressure falls below 20
psi due to risk of microbial contamination of water.

In a November 5, 2008 memo from Christine Ferrigan who had served as Utility
Coordinator for Boca Raton for 23 years until she and Angela Romero, an inspector,
were terminated days later:

"Many residents have complained about low water pressure and a foul
smell coming from their faucets, but the City of Boca Raton has never addressed
this serious problem. Jokes have been made in staff meetings about the problem
of low water pressure..."

In a February 20, 2009 letter, the Palm Beach County health Department formally
notified the city that it was looking into a number of low pressure reports
covering a ten-month period from April 2007 to February 2008. That investigation
is still ongoing but does not include operational concerns at the city water
agency, such as -

• Failure to test backflow prevention devices (to keep contaminated
  water out of the distribution system), inadequate backflow devices in many
  areas using reclaimed water and deceptive reports files with the state;

• A spotty inspection system that is described by the Utility Services
  Director as little more than a "drive-by"; and

• Boca Raton Utility Services has not replaced the two employees it
  terminated last year who had responsibilities covering Pretreatment, Reclaim
  Water, Backflow and Cross Connections.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection investigated many of these
matters but concluded that it did not have jurisdiction but it is unclear whether
it ever formally referred the matter to the county Health Department.

"Boca Raton utilities staff has been raising these concerns from more
than two years and it appears that the only result has been their removal," stated
PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch. "Candor about water contamination
is extremely dangerous for Florida public servants."

Read the Palm Beach County Health Department letter on water pressure concerns

Look at a sample of low pressure readings

See
Boca Raton e-mail about "drive-by" inspections

View concerns by city water worker shortly before her termination