Overview
Residents and business owners in East Dunbar, West Virginia, who experienced water service disruptions in June 2015 may be eligible for payments of up to $1,525 as part of an $18 million class action settlement with West Virginia American Water Co. (WVAW).
The lawsuit alleged WVAW failed to prevent or adequately respond to a significant water main break that led to low water pressure, service outages, and precautionary boil advisories. WVAW has denied wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid further litigation.
Who Can File a Claim?
You may qualify if:
- You lived in a home or owned a business that received tap water from WVAW between June 23 and July 1, 2015, and
- The property was located in the affected area between Dunbar and North Charleston, as shown on the official settlement map.
The person listed on the June 2015 WVAW bill should file the claim. If unavailable, another resident or tenant may file (for example, if water was included in rent). Only one claim per household or business address is allowed.
Payment Amounts
| Claim Type | Maximum Payment |
|---|---|
| Simple Residential Claim | $175 |
| Simple Business Claim | $525 |
| Residential with Evidence (Tier 1) | $225 |
| Residential with Evidence (Tier 2) | $500 |
| Business with Evidence | $1,525 |
Note: You can file both a simple and an evidence-based claim, but only one payment will be issued—the higher amount will apply.
How to File a Claim
Deadline to File: August 22, 2025
Submit a claim:
- Online: Visit the official settlement website to file electronically.
- By Mail: Print and complete the PDF claim form (starting on page 65 of the notice packet), then send to:
2015 Dunbar Main Break Administrator
P.O. Box 4227
Charleston, WV 25364
Documentation Required
For All Claims:
- If you’re not the listed customer on the June 2015 bill, you must provide proof of residence or business activity, such as:
- Lease or deed
- Utility bill (June/July 2015)
- Tax return, insurance policy, mortgage, bank statement, or other official documents
For Tiered Residential Claims:
- Tier 1: Emails, texts, or social media posts dated June 23–July 1, 2015, referencing loss of water service
- Tier 2: Receipts for expenses like bottled water, meals out, hotel stays, laundry, etc.
For Business Claims With Evidence:
- Receipts or records showing lost profits, extra expenses, or inventory loss
- Business Tax ID number
Payment Options
Claimants may choose to receive their settlement by:
- Paper check
- Prepaid debit card
(Both options will be mailed to the address provided on the claim form.)
Settlement Fund Breakdown
- Total Fund: $18,000,000
- Attorneys’ fees: Approx. $7.2 million
- Legal expenses: Up to $550,000
- Class representative awards: $35,000 each ($70,000 total)
- Settlement administration costs: TBD
- Payouts to class members: Remainder of the fund
Important Dates
- Exclusion Deadline: July 23, 2025
- Claim Deadline: August 22, 2025
- Final Fairness Hearing: September 11, 2025
When Will Payments Be Sent?
Payments will be distributed approximately 90 days after the court grants final approval and all appeals are resolved.
Why Is There a Settlement?
The lawsuit claimed WVAW failed to follow appropriate procedures to prevent or respond to the 2015 Dunbar-area water main break. Plaintiffs alleged this failure disrupted water service and endangered public health. WVAW has denied these claims but agreed to the settlement to avoid continued legal costs and uncertainty.
Sources:
Award: Varies based on claim type
Deadline: August 22, 2025
Please be aware that your claim form will be rejected if it contains fraudulent information. By submitting your information and your sworn statement of its accuracy, you are agreeing to do so under penalty of perjury. Submitting false information not only jeopardizes your claim but also affects others who are genuinely eligible for the settlement. If you are uncertain about your eligibility for this class action settlement, please visit the class action administrator’s website for more information. Note that NoProofClassActions.org participates in the Amazon affiliate advertising program, and this post may include affiliate links, which could result in us earning a commission if you make a purchase through those links.
