Falsified Reports and Pipe Failures

An interesting story has popped up in the 12 February 2010 New York Times. Plastic pipe manufacturer JM Eagle has been accused of falsifying testing reports. A former employee has brought about the case under a “whistle-blower” law. And, as the accusations are related to pipe durability (50 year service life) while the company experienced some failures inside of one year, the suit has gained steam and additional plaintives. The states of Nevada, Virginia, Delaware, and Tennessee and water authorities in California have joined the lawsuit.