IWC Charge Settlement: Claim Your Share of $7.5 Million

The recent class action settlement concerning the IWC Charge has become a significant topic of discussion among non-residential sewer users in the City of Detroit and the Member Communities. This settlement provides an opportunity for those who have been charged under the IWC to claim a refund. If you are a commercial or industrial entity that has paid the IWC Charge between July 18, 2013, and June 30, 2023, you may be entitled to a portion of the settlement fund. The official settlement website offers comprehensive information on eligibility, the claiming process, and the potential refund amount.

Who Benefits?

Commercial and industrial entities that have paid the IWC Charge during the specified period are the primary beneficiaries of this settlement. Residential users, schools within government districts, higher education institutions, and government facilities are excluded.

How much can I get?

The refund amount for each claimant will vary based on the size of their water meter, the duration of IWC Charge payments, and the total number of valid claims submitted. While the exact refund amount per class member cannot be determined at this stage, it is projected that an average refund could range from $250 to $750, assuming a total settlement fund of approximately $7.5 million.

Important Dates

• Deadline to File a Claim: To be eligible for a refund, claimants must submit their claims by January 24, 2024. Claims can be filed electronically or via mail, but they must be received by this date. Late submissions will not be considered.
• Final Approval Hearing: The court has scheduled a final approval hearing for February 23, 2024. Refunds will be issued only after the court grants final approval to the settlement.

Identifying Eligible Claimants

Class members in this settlement are defined as non-residential sewer users who have incurred or paid the IWC Charge within the specified period. The IWC Charge has been collected by various municipalities listed on the official settlement website.

• Class members are categorized based on the size of their water meter, which directly influences the IWC Charge they have paid. The official settlement website provides a chart correlating water meter sizes with the corresponding IWC Charges, assisting claimants in identifying their category.

There are no exclusions mentioned for class members other than those already specified as non-beneficiaries.

Claimable Awards Breakdown

Class members can claim refunds that are proportional to the IWC Charges they have paid. The settlement fund is designed to compensate for the IWC Charges incurred by eligible class members during the specified period.

• Water Meter Size: The award amount is influenced by the size of the water meter.
• Duration of Payment: The length of time IWC Charges were paid also affects the refund amount.

The Charges at the Center of the Settlement

The IWC Charge is a fee included in sewer bills for monitoring sewage discharge from certain industrial users. The charges were imposed on non-residential users in the City of Detroit and Member Communities to fund the Industrial Waste Control Division of GLWA.

• The IWC Charge is distinct from a Pollutant Surcharge, which is levied on sewer users discharging wastewater with higher concentrations of pollutants.

Is Proof Required to Claim the Reward?

Claimants are required to provide proof of payment for the IWC Charges to be eligible for a refund. The claim form requests specific details such as the dates when the IWC Charges were paid and the size of the water meter associated with the property.

How to Claim Your Award

To claim your award, complete and submit a claim form, available at the official claim submission page. The form requires detailed information about your payments of the IWC Charge, including the period during which the charges were paid.

Ensure that submissions are accurate and received by the January 24, 2024, deadline. The official settlement website provides additional guidance on the claiming process.

Analyzing the Settlement Refund

The settlement fund amounting to approximately $11.5 million will be distributed among valid claimants. The refund process is expected to occur in two equal installments, with the first in March 2024 and the second in July 2024, contingent upon the court's final approval.

The methodology for calculating individual refund amounts is based on several variables, including meter size and the length of time charges were paid. The official settlement website offers projections of potential refund amounts based on these factors.

The Genesis of the Class Action Settlement

The class action settlement arises from charges imposed on non-residential sewer users that were deemed unfair. The settlement aims to rectify this by offering refunds to affected parties.

Following the final approval hearing scheduled for February 23, 2024, eligible class members who have submitted valid claims can expect to receive their refunds. The official settlement website will continue to provide updates regarding the settlement.