James Bobreski was retaliated against for reporting the unlawful storage of over 100 tons of liquid chlorine.
Bobreski was retaliated against for blowing the whistle on the DC Water and Sewer Authority, who was unsafely storing over 100 tons of liquid chlorine that could have killed thousands.
Accused of what he was hired to do, James J. Bobreski was process control technician who exposed a critical safety hazard at the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority’s Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater treatment plant in 1999.
As a contractor, Bobreski uncovered the plant’s reckless disregard for public safety by storing over 100 tons of highly volatile liquid chlorine in violation of regulations. Further, he revealed a systemic failure to maintain chlorine gas alarms, which were essential to detect dangerous leaks.
Despite repeated attempts to address these issues internally, Bobreski was met with retaliation and ultimately terminated for his whistleblowing activities.
Above is a presentation that James Bobreski authored, which explains the story and violations in greater detail.
Bobreski Took Immediate Action
Undeterred, Bobreski pursued legal action with the support of Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto. The subsequent lawsuit not only vindicated his rights but also forced the DC Water and Sewer Authority to remove the hazardous chlorine stockpile, safeguarding the community from a potential catastrophe.
Bobreski’s case serves as a powerful example of the courage required to hold powerful institutions accountable and the critical role whistleblowers play in protecting public safety.