DiCello Levitt has filed an action on behalf of Greenville Water against U.S. Pipe, one of the largest manufacturers of ductile iron pipe used in public water systems in the United States.
The action is pending in the South Carolina Court of Common Pleas, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, and alleges that U.S. Pipe engaged in the deceptive marketing and sale of defective pipe caused by a widespread manufacturing defect at its Lynchburg, Virginia facility.
The alleged defect causes the cement mortar lining of pipe that U.S. Pipe manufactured at its Lynchburg facility to fail to meet industry standards, drastically affecting water quality and the performance of public water systems.
Cement-mortar lining that fails to meet industry standards causes corrosion and iron deposits that result in brown and rusty water. As corrosive material and loose cement accumulate in pipes, water pressure problems as well as clogs in water mains, customer service lines, valves, and fire prevention systems can develop. Bacteria can also begin to build up, which can be harmful to human health if allowed to reach unsafe levels. All of these issues contribute to drastically reduced life spans for the pipe and a loss of consumer confidence in public water systems.
The lawsuit seeks to recover on behalf of Greenville Water for the purchase price of the pipes purchased, the cost of removing and replacing the defective pipes unknowingly installed, and punitive damages for U.S. Pipe’s deceptive and unfair trade practices.
U.S. Pipe’s Lynchburg facility is a major supplier of ductile iron pipe to local governments, municipalities, and water departments throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and Southeastern United States. Consequently, many other water utilities and municipalities have also been deeply concerned about this issue and DiCello Levitt welcomes all inquiries for legal representation to address this problem.
The case is captioned Commissioners of Public Works of the City of Greenville, South Carolina v. United States Pipe and Foundry Company, LLC, et al., Case No. 2024CP2305956 and the Complaint is available here.