Riviera Beach’s Special Utility District is suspected of breaking various state or federal laws related to water quality 189 times, according to a new notice from the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) in Palm Beach County.
WPTV Reporter Ethan Stein exclusively obtained the notice from a public records request from the FDOH describing various violations related to testing, notifying the public and staff actions from January to September 2023. The notice also said the city utility, which serves Riviera Beach and surrounding areas, had 108 samples test positive for total coliform, an indicator of animal waste or human waste.
Six samples tested positive for E. coli.
The documents contradict the city’s most recent notification to customers indicating only seven samples tested positive for total coliform during the time period. The notification also said the city couldn’t determine if the water quality was safe for customers from January to September 2023.
The statement was a reversal from the historical position of city officials on water quality being safe enough to drink.