City of Gardner $325,000 Settlement

Gardner, Massachusetts residents, property owners or businesses that received water from the City of Gardner and needed to replace copper heating coils in a tankless hot water heating system may be eligible to claim a cash payment from a class action settlement.

The City of Gardner agreed to pay $325,000 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging negligence, gross negligence and nuisance related to the city's water supply, claiming it caused copper heating coils in tankless hot water heating systems to fail. Suez Water Environmental Services Inc., the city’s private water system operator, is also a party to the settlement.

Who can file a claim?

The class includes all individuals and businesses who meet the following criteria:

• They are a Gardner resident, property owner or business.
• The City of Gardner supplied their water.
• The copper heating coils in their tankless hot water heating system failed and they needed to replace them.

How much can class members receive?

Pro rata payment: The total settlement fund is $325,000. After deductions for attorneys’ fees, service awards and administrative costs, the settlement administrator will distribute the remaining amount to class members who submit valid claims.

Each claimant will receive a pro rata share based on the number of copper coils they replaced up to a maximum of three coils per claimant. The precise payment per coil will depend on the total number of valid coil replacements all class members claim. If class members claim fewer coils, the payment per coil increases. If class members claim more coils, the payment per coil decreases.

How to claim a settlement payment

Class members can complete the online claim form or download, print, and fill out the PDF claim form and mail it to the settlement administrator. The claim deadline is May 11, 2026.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: City of Gardner Coils Class Action Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 2004, Chanhassen, MN 55317-2004

Required proof and documentation

Class members must provide:

• The address where they replaced the coils (if different from their address)
• The number of copper coils replaced (up to three)

They should also be prepared to provide documentation if requested. The settlement administrator may follow up for additional proof.

Payout options

The settlement administrator will mail checks to the address provided on the claim form.

$325,000 settlement fund breakdown

The $325,000 settlement fund includes:

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys’ fees: Up to $107,250
• Attorneys’ expenses: To be determined
• Service award to the lead plaintiff: Up to $15,000
• Payments to eligible class members: The remainder of the fund

If there are leftover funds after the settlement administrator pays all claims, the settlement administrator may donate them to the Massachusetts IOLTA Committee, pending court approval.

Important dates

• Final approval hearing: March 10, 2026
• Claim deadline: May 11, 2026

When is the City of Gardner coils settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will distribute payments after the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval of the settlement.

Why is there a class action settlement?

The class action lawsuit alleged the City of Gardner supplied water that caused copper heating coils in tankless hot water heating systems to fail, resulting in damages to residents, property owners and businesses.

The city denies any wrongdoing and, in turn, brought claims against Suez Water Environmental Services Inc., its private water system operator. Suez also denies any liability. Both parties agreed to settle the case to avoid the costs and uncertainties of continued litigation.

Sources

1. Class notice
2. Claim form
3. Settlement agreement
4. Settlement FAQ