COUNSEL — Sean Logue, of Logue Law Group in Carnegie, Pa., held a press conference at the Brooke County Courthouse Thursday regarding the class action lawsuit he’s filed in Brooke County Circuit Court against the Weirton Area Water Board and City of Weirton. -- Christopher Dacanay

WELLSBURG — A class action lawsuit has been filed against the Weirton Area Water Board and City of Weirton, seeking relief and compensation for Weirton water customers affected by the water system issues last winter.

A civil complaint, filed Wednesday in Brooke County Circuit Court, alleges negligence and breach of contract and claims residents suffered substantial harm due to the defendants’ failure to provide safe and reliable water services.

Logue Law Group of Carnegie, Pa., and OnderLaw LLC of St. Louis are collaborating on the lawsuit, which names Weirton resident Rose McClements as the plaintiff on behalf of individuals similarly situated.

According to the complaint, the WAWB and city failed to maintain their infrastructure, mismanaged operations and violated contractual obligations to the public. These actions have caused health risks, financial losses and significant disruptions to daily life, the complaint claims.

The plaintiffs are now seeking compensatory damages and injunctive relief, including that all monies received by the defendants in connection with water services not provided during the class period be disgorged, and that defendants establish methods to ensure they meet their obligations to the plaintiff and class, according to the complaint.

Between late 2024 and early 2025, the Weirton water system experienced more than 100 water line breaks, leading to widespread outages, low water pressure and boil advisories. The service disruptions and a mandatory water conservation impacted many residents and businesses.

Officials primarily have attributed the situation to the winter’s freeze and thaw cycle, compounded by water source mixing complications stemming from a primary pump’s failure at the plant and concurrent refurbishing work on a well.

Holding a press conference on the suit Thursday at the Brooke County Courthouse was attorney Sean Logue, owner of Logue Law Group.

Logue said he represents McClements and a number of other residents who’ve been impacted by the WAWB’s alleged negligence. He is seeking class certification and estimated that potential claimants could number between 3,500 and 5,000.

Logue claimed upgrades at the plant were done negligently, leading to water source mixing that caused the line breaks, and the WAWB has breached its contracts with customers by charging them monthly for water but providing them neither with water nor repair services.

“This is ridiculous, and this has been going on for months and months and months, and there’s no relief in sight,” Logue said. “Well, this lawsuit is hopefully the first step in that relief.”

Water issues continue in certain high-elevation areas of the city, Logue claimed. Residents have been unable to use their bathrooms or sell their homes due to lack of water, and businesses, including doctor’s offices and restaurants, have been forced to close.

Logue said his allegations are based on good-faith conversations with engineers who were involved in the situation, but the case’s discovery period will provide more information. Those engineers — who Logue declined to name — reached out to him and articulated the issues that are contained in the complaint.

Logue said Brooke County was chosen as the case’s venue because “I was concerned that the jury pool in Hancock County might have issues because people who work for the water authority are likely to live in Hancock County.” He added that a portion of people affected by the crisis live in Brooke County, and some of the alleged negligence was done in that county.

The exact amount sought in compensation has not yet been determined, Logue said.

Legal counsel for the City of Weirton and Weirton Area Water Board could not be reached for comment.

The WAWB is an autonomous board that oversees the operation and maintenance of the city’s water treatment and distribution systems. Members are appointed by Weirton City Council.