City of Kennewick v. Hanford Piping, Inc.

During July 1974, a 24-inch steel water pipeline owned by the City of Kennewick and suspended from the ceiling and sidewall of a box culvert, fell. This pipeline, along with other water improvements had been designed by defendants Cornell, Howland, Hayes & Merryfield, d/b/a CH2-M, and constructed by defendant, Hanford Piping, Inc., d/b/a McMillin Bros. Constructors. When defendants refused to repair the damage, the City of Kennewick incurred repair costs of $13,640.57 and brought this action to recover those costs.

The City’s complaint alleged that McMillin Bros, used “inferior materials…