Great Lakes Water Authority industrial waste charge $11.5M class action settlement

Detroit and the Great Lakes Water Authority agreed to a $11.5 million class action settlement to resolve claims that they charged illegal Industrial Waste Control (IWC) surcharges on sewer bills.

The settlement benefits Detroit sewer customers who incurred or paid IWC charges on their sewer bills between July 18, 2013, and June 30, 2023.

According to the class action lawsuit, the Great Lakes Water Authority included an illegal IWC charge on the sewer bills of certain industrial sewer users in Detroit. This charge was allegedly supposed to fund the authority’s Industrial Waste Control division but was not used for this purpose.

The Great Lakes Water Authority provides water and wastewater to southeast Michigan.

Detroit and the Great Lakes Water Authority haven’t admitted any wrongdoing in the case but agreed to pay a combined $11.5 million to resolve the class action lawsuit.

Under the terms of the settlement, class members can receive a refund of the IWC charges they paid on their sewer bills. 

Refunds will vary depending on the amount each consumer paid, as the charges varied based on water meter servicing. According to the settlement website, consumers paid anywhere from $3.64 to $436.80 in IWC charges. Class members will receive a proportional share of the net settlement fund based on the amount they paid. No payment estimates are available at this time.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Jan. 24, 2024.

The final approval hearing for the IWC charge settlement is scheduled for Feb. 23, 2024.

In order to receive a settlement refund, class members must submit a valid claim form by Jan. 24, 2024.

Who’s Eligible

Detroit sewer customers who incurred or paid Industrial Waste Control (IWC) charges on their sewer bills between July 18, 2013 and June 30, 2023

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

Water meter information

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

01/24/2024

Case Name

General Mill Supply Co. v. The Great Lakes Water Authority, et al., Case No. 18-011569-CZ, in the Michigan Circuit Court for Wayne County

Final Hearing

02/23/2024

Settlement Website

IWCSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

IWC Settlement
PO Box 25419
Santa Ana, CA 92799
info@IWCSettlement.com
866-603-5601

Class Counsel

Gregory D Hanley
Jamie K Warrow
Edward F Kickham Jr.
KICKHAM HANLEY PLLC

Defense Counsel

Christopher S Frescoln
FAUSONE BOHN LLP

Michael J Watt
KOPKA PINKUS DOLAN PC