Water Reclamation employees sue over Chicago water plant explosion

CHICAGO, IL, SEPT 19, 2018 -- Weeks after an explosion blew the roof off a water treatment facility, two workers filed a lawsuit claiming the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District was negligent.

The Chicago Tribune reports the suit alleges the district failed to adequately inspect the sludge concentration building at the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant prior to the Aug. 30 explosion.

Pipefitters William Ruiz and William Kissane and their attorneys allege that the water district officials also failed to properly monitor the building for the presence of explosive gases and provide ventilation that could have prevented such a blast.

Ten workers were injured in the blast after the building's roof caved in. Two workers, including Kissane, were critically injured.