Charleston Flushable Wipes Class Action Settlement Website
Charleston Water System v. Costco Wholesale Corporation, et al.
US District Court for the District of South Carolina
Case No. 2:21-CV-00042
You are a Settlement Class Member if you own[ed] and/or operate[d] sewage or wastewater conveyance and treatment systems between January 6, 2018 and October 4, 2021.
On October 4, 2021, the federal district court in Charleston, South Carolina, issued an Order granting preliminary approval to a proposed Class Action Settlement between Plaintiff Charleston Water System (“Plaintiff”) and Defendant Kimberly-Clark Corporation (“Kimberly-Clark”) addressing Kimberly-Clark’s flushable and non-flushable wipe products. The action challenges the manufacturing, marketing and/or sale of Kimberly-Clark and other non-settling Defendants’ flushable wipes.
Settlement Information
The proposed settlement does not affect Class Members’ individual claims against wipe manufacturers – including Kimberly-Clark – for damages or other monetary relief due to wipes-related blockages. However, if approved, Kimberly-Clark will implement certain modifications to its business practices with respect to flushable wipes, as well as labeling requirements for non-flushable wipes, and Class Members will release any and all claims for injunctive relief they may have against Kimberly-Clark arising from or relating to Plaintiff’s allegations. Class Members who own or operate wastewater treatment plants/systems should review this settlement in case they wish to submit comments about the settlement.
Who is a Class Member?
If you own[ed] or operate[d] a sewage or wastewater conveyance and treatment system, such as a municipality, authority or wastewater district in the United States whose system was in operation between January 6, 2018, and October 4, 2021, you are part of the Settlement Class.
CLASS MEMBER LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS IN THIS LAWSUIT
Do Nothing
If you do nothing, then you will automatically receive benefits under this Settlement in the form of Kimberly-Clark’s business modifications that are further described in the FAQs on this website.
Object
Write to the Court about why you do not like something about the Settlement or Class Counsel’s requested attorneys’ fees and expenses such that it is received no later than December 29, 2021.
Participate in a hearing on January 24, 2022 at 10 a.m.
Ask to speak in Court (via teleconference) about your opinion of the Settlement and/or the requests for attorneys’ fees and expenses. Requests to speak must be received by the Court and counsel for the Parties no later than December 29, 2021.