The City of West Palm Beach has received a warning letter from the Florida Department of Health that states the city could face "possible violations of law" tied to the recent water advisory in the city, as well as Palm Beach and South Palm Beach.
Health officials say the city did not inform the state or the public quickly enough about toxins in the water supply that were linked to blue-green algae.
The Department of Health cites Florida's Administrative Code which calls for the city to issue public notice within 24 hours of a positive test.
The first result came on May 17th, but the city contends that it was conducting more tests first to confirm those results. The state agency was informed on May 28th and that's when the advisory went into effect.
Mayor Keith James has claimed the city followed the code.
The mayor says he first knew about the toxins on the 28th.
A city spokesperson says the city disputes any rule or law violations and is preparing to meet with the Department of Health to explain that.