Georgetown, South Carolina, Files Suit Alleging Failed Storm Water Pump Reinstallation
The city of Georgetown, South Carolina, filed a lawsuit against Myrtle Beach contractor Greenwall Construction Service.
The lawsuit alleges that improper reinstallation of a Front Street storm water pump resulted in the city paying a total of $38,000 in costs, reported The Post and Courier.
The pump uses five hoses, and when reinstalled in June 2021 after repairs, the hoses were installed to the incorrect couplers. This error, according to the lawsuit, resulted in costly repairs.
According to The Post and Courier, in August 2019, one of two hydraulic pumps failed in the storm water retention pond across from 1218 Front Street. The city engaged in ineffective spot repairs and ultimately removed and evaluated the pump.
A budget amendment was passed in December 2020 to cover pump repair costs, resulting in a $24,432 quote from Greenwall for removal and reinstallation, reported The Post and Courier. The pump was then returned to Georgetown and reinstalled on May 17, 2021, failing after a month. According to the city, it lost approximately 700 gallons of hydraulic oil worth over $14,000 for the first repair and the next repair cost over $23,000.
“Upon information and belief, a city employee noticed the high pressure hose connected to Pump #2 had ruptured,” stated the lawsuit, reported The Post and Courier. “Upon further inspection a City employee discovered that the beige low pressure hoses were connected to the quick couplers on the high pressure side of pump #2. The blue high pressure hoses were connected to the quick couplers on the low pressure side of pump #2.”
According to Georgetown City Administrator Sandra Yúdice, Greenwall was told in June 2021 that the company would be invoiced for the failed reinstallation, amounting to $38,000, reported The Post and Courier.
Since then, August 2021 invoices sent have not resulted in any reimbursement as of May 20, reported the lawsuit.