GCWW Lead Pipe (Management) Investigative Report (9/15/25)

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Lead_Investigation_Report_9.15.2025

 

I received the GCWW’s lead pipe investigative report today along with many other documents. I have not yet reviewed all the documents but I did review the report. The link above will take you to the report. As soon as I review the other documents, they will also be posted here.

Unfortunately the investigation was a Human Resources matter, i.e. employee disciplinary matter and not a investigation of the entire program. But there is still enough information in the report to trigger important follow up.

My initial take is that the management failures seem more significant than any financial loss or possible criminality of an employee or employees. I think you will see what I mean if you read the report.

Also, the report has a number of gaps that I picked up. There may be more.

  1. The report does not say whether anyone has checked the copper inventory. It is like they checked the piggy (lead) bank and not the cash (copper) drawer. If the lack of controls for the copper replacement lines are even half as bad as they are for lead, they need to check the copper inventory ASAP.
  2. There is no indication that they are tracking down any of the scrapped lead.  Even the primary attorney conducting the interviews emphasized the seriousness of the improper handling.
  3. Also, if the mishandling of the scrap lead does trigger a reporting requirment to the State and the EPA, there is no indication in the report that any reports have been made.

Maybe the other records will answer these and other questions. I hope to get through them soon.