Greenville Water Sues U.S. Pipe Over Defective Infrastructure

DiCello Levitt represents South Carolina public water utility Greenville Water in a lawsuit against United States Pipe and Foundry Company LLC and its distributors over defective ductile iron pipes installed in Greenville Water’s public water systems. The case, filed in the South Carolina Court of Common Pleas, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, alleges that ductile iron pipe manufactured at U.S. Pipe’s Lynchburg, Virginia, facility failed to meet critical industry standards, causing widespread damage to water infrastructure and potentially posing serious risks to water quality and public health.

The complaint alleges that the defective pipes, which feature substandard cement-mortar lining, cause corrosion, leading to deterioration of water quality, clogs, and bacterial growth in the water system. These issues can result in brown, rusty water, reduced water pressure, and compromised fire-prevention systems. Despite certifying compliance with the American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards, the pipes did not meet the required specifications, breaching the trust of Greenville Water and its customers.

Greenville Water, which provides clean and safe drinking water to more than 500,000 residents, seeks damages for the cost of removing and replacing the defective pipes, the purchase price of the pipes, and punitive damages for U.S. Pipe’s unfair and deceptive trade practices. The case is Commissioners of Public Works of the City of Greenville, South Carolina v. United States Pipe and Foundry Company, LLC, et al. DiCello Levitt attorneys representing the plaintiffs include Adam Levitt, Daniel Flynn, Justin Hawal, Anna Claire Skinner, and Jessica Holmes.