From Staff Reports

WOODFIN, N.C. — More than a month after MountainTrue held its first community meeting to encourage residents to pressure a local PVC manufacturer to help protect against a future debris disaster, as in Tropical Storm Helene, the company responded directly to the Asheville Citizen Times, the newspaper reported on June 18.

Specifically, the accusation and IPEX’s response to the accusation regarding environmental debris on the French Broad River in Asheville are as follows:

•The accusation: Following catastrophic weather events and subsequent flooding, environmental groups like MountainTrue reported that thousands of pounds of IPEX PVC pipes washed away from the Woodfin facility and heavily polluted local waterways, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the river debris removed by cleanup crews.

• The IPEX response: Corporate representatives stated they “care deeply about the well-being of the people and the environment” and are “actively assessing the situation.” In the aftermath of the storms, the company claims to have taken immediate action to remove pipes from the river and to strengthen mitigation and storage measures at their local facility. IPEX expressed a commitment to working with the community, although local environmental groups have voiced frustration over a lack of direct communication regarding future storm preparedness.

IPEX has responded to the river debris accusations at several key points as follows:

• Immediately post-Helene (November 2024): In response to initial spills caused by Tropical Storm Helene, IPEX pledged to help clean up, deploying barges and in-person teams to retrieve pipes washed downstream.

• May 12-21, 2026: Following a public pressure campaign from environmental groups like MountainTrue, IPEX issued a statement to local news outlets defending its swift recovery efforts and pledging a continued commitment to cleaning up.

• June 2026: IPEX responded to the Citizen Times, reiterating that the firm is assessing the situation and remains committed to supporting the community and recovery efforts.