West Virginia American Water $18M Dunbar Settlement

West Virginia residents who lived in a home or owned a business that received tap water from West Virginia American Water Co. in the area east of Dunbar, West Virginia (between Dunbar and North Charleston), in 2015 may qualify to claim up to $1,525 from a class action settlement.

West Virginia American Water Co. agreed to pay $18,000,000 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it failed to prevent or properly respond to a major water main break in June 2015. The plaintiffs claimed the water main break caused water service interruptions, reduced pressure and precautionary boil water advisories for customers in the affected area.

Who is eligible to file a West Virginia American Water Co. claim?

Class members must meet one of the following criteria:

• They resided in a dwelling supplied with tap water by West Virginia American Water Co. and located within the area shown on the official settlement map between June 23, 2015, and July 1, 2015.
• They owned a business operating in real property supplied with tap water by WVAW and located within the same area during that period.

The person listed as the customer on the June 2015 WVAW bill should file a claim for the household, but another household member can file if the customer is unavailable or if water service was included in rent. Each household or business location can only receive one payment.

How much is the Dunbar water main break payout?

• Simple claim (residential): Up to $175 per household
• Simple claim (business): Up to $525 per business
• With evidence claim (residential, tier 1): Up to $225 per household
• With evidence claim (residential, tier 2): Up to $500 per household
• With evidence claim (business): Up to $1,525 per business

Class members may submit both a simple claim and a with evidence claim, but only one will be paid — the higher value claim takes precedence.

How to claim a West Virginia American Water Co. class action rebate

Class members can file a claim online or download, print and complete a PDF claim form (starting on Page 65) to mail to the settlement administrator.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: 2015 Dunbar Main Break Administrator, P.O. Box 4227, Charleston, WV 25364

Proof and documentation required

• Class members who are not the listed customer must provide verifiable proof of residence or business operation at the address from June to July 2015. Acceptable documents include:
• Lease
• Deed
• Tax return
• Insurance policy
• School or employment record
• Mortgage or bank statement
• Canceled check or rent receipt
• Utility bill covering June or July 2015 with the class member's name and address

• For residential claims with evidence:
• Tier 1: Communication evidence (such as emails, texts or social media posts) from June 23–July 1, 2015, referencing loss of water use
• Tier 2: Receipts for extra expenses (like bottled water, restaurant meals, laundry or hotel stays) due to the water main break from June 23–July 1, 2015

• For business claims with evidence: Receipts or business records showing extra expenses, lost inventory or lost profit due to closure. Businesses must also provide their tax ID.

Payout options

• Paper check mailed to the address provided on the claim form
• Debit card mailed to the address provided on the claim form

$18 million water main break settlement fund breakdown

The $18,000,000 settlement fund covers.

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys' fees: $7,200,000 (estimated)
• Attorneys' expenses: Up to $550,000
• Service awards to class representatives: $35,000 each ($70,000 total)
• Payments to eligible class members: The remainder of the fund

Important dates

• Exclusion deadline: July 23, 2025
• Claim deadline: Aug. 22, 2025
• Final Fairness Hearing: Sept. 11, 2025

When is the Dunbar, West Virginia, settlement payout date?

Payments will be distributed approximately 90 days after the court issues a final approval order and all appeals are resolved.

Why is there a class action settlement?

The class action lawsuit alleged West Virginia American Water Co. failed to take adequate precautions and did not comply with laws and regulations to prevent or properly respond to the June 2015 Dunbar water main break. The plaintiffs claimed these failures led to water service disruptions, reduced pressure and boil water advisories.

WVAW denied any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the costs and risks of continued litigation.

Sources

1. Class Notice
2. Settlement Agreement
3. Settlement Website FAQ Page