Florida city investigated by OSHA for whistleblower treatment

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Delray Beach, Florida was investigated by OSHA due to a whistleblower being fired after reporting water system faults. The faults contaminated the city's water supply. After reports of smelly, discolored and sandy drinking water, a Water Utilities Department inspector investigated and identified faults in the municipal system that were allowing reclaimed sewer water to cross-contaminate the city's drinking water supply.

The inspector also participated actively in investigations by the Florida Department of Health and the Palm Beach County Office of Inspector General. The city then removed the inspector from doing inspections and terminated the employee in February 2022, claiming that their position had been eliminated in a reorganization that involved only their job.

On Feb. 24, 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened an investigation and later determined the city illegally harassed and terminated the employee for reporting the pollution concerns. On April 18, 2023, the City of Delray Beach Commission ratified a settlement agreement, in which the city will pay the former inspector $818,500.

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