General (14)
Susana Barrios
From:Stephanie Mercadante <burglin.stephanie@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, June 9, 2026 6:55 PM
To:Public Comment
Subject:\[EXTERNAL\] On Behalf of Mike Robbins, District 2, Councilmember Carlos Leon
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
For public comment on June 09, 2026:
Tonight, I want to talk about accountability.
Keith McDonald, the Water Systems Operations Manager who reports to Craig Parker, was
reportedly transferred out of the Water Operations Department effective today, June 9th.
For those who may not know his responsibilities, when Well 51 reportedly remained online for
approximately 74 days after the City was notified of PFAS levels requiring action, that happened
under Keith McDonald’s management.
When Anaheim Hills residents experienced brown drinking water following operational decisions
involving Walnut Canyon Reservoir, that happened under Keith McDonald’s management.
When millions of gallons of water were reportedly flushed throughout the system prior to required
testing, that happened under Keith McDonald’s management.
And now he is no longer responsible for the day-to-day operation of Anaheim's drinking water system.
Which raises an obvious question: If the City believed there was no problem, why was he
transferred?
And if the City believed there was a problem significant enough to remove him from those
responsibilities, where is the accountability?
And how did transferring him solve the problem?
Residents still want to know:
Why was Well 51 not shut down sooner?
Why were different shutdown dates provided to the public?
Why did our drinking water turn brown?
Why were extensive flushing activities reportedly conducted throughout Anaheim Hills?
Perhaps most troubling are reports that employees who raised concerns regarding drinking water
quality, public safety, and operational decisions were met with retaliation, intimidation, or efforts to
discredit their concerns rather than address them.
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Which brings us back to Human Resources.
Linda Andal is the Human Resources Director. Her responsibility is to investigate complaints, enforce
City policy, and protect employees and taxpayers from the costs of misconduct and retaliation.
Employees raised concerns regarding water quality. And these employees were retaliated against.
At what point does Human Resources stop protecting management and start protecting the integrity
of the organization?
At the end of the day, you chose a career in public service. That does not mean cover up, conceal,
and contain. It means transparency, accountability, and honest government.
The residents of Anaheim deserve nothing less.
Please act accordingly.
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