With the Northwest Water Treatment Plant project coming to an end, Brunswick County has entered a new lawsuit against Oscar Renda Contracting, Inc., and its sureties.
Brunswick County refiled its lawsuit against Oscar Renda Contracting, Inc. and the project's sureties over delays, alleged defects in the expansion project and more
, for the long-delayed Northwest Water Treatment Plant expansion and reverse-osmosis project.The defendants include Oscar Renda Contracting, Inc., Zurich American Insurance Company and Federal Insurance Company. According to the complaint, the dispute centers on the contract to expand the Northwest Water Treatment Plant and install a low-pressure reverse-osmosis system designed to remove PFAS compounds from drinking
water.
Brunswick County voluntarily dismissed its original lawsuit against Oscar Renda and the project's sureties in 2025, without prejudice, allowing the county to refile the claims at a later date. However, a new lawsuit was filed in August 2026, just one day before hitting a year since the 2025 filing.
According to the complaint, the county refiled the case to preserve its claims while project completion efforts continue.
What's included in the lawsuit
In the complaint, the county alleges Oscar Renda failed to meet project milestones despite extensions and negotiated forbearance agreements. Brunswick further claims it issued multiple default notices, entered into and later amended a forbearance agreement and provided additional opportunities to cure deficiencies before ultimately terminating the contractor.
The county also cites several issues contributed to delays, including problems with concrete placement in a filter underdrain system, the collapse of piping before it entered service, inadequate staffing and missed revised completion schedules. The complaint further alleges the project's sureties failed to fulfill obligations under the performance bond and related agreements after defaults were declared. These allegations were echoed in the 2025 filing.
While no response has been filed from the defendant, the county continues construction with a new crew.
In an Aug. 4 project update, Brunswick reported that the project's sureties worked with a management group since Sept. 2025 to provide oversight and help ensure completion of remaining work. The county also reported completion of a new rapid mix structure, upgraded super pulsator clarifiers, eight dual-media filters and a backwash equalization tank.
Expanded treatment capacity was expected to be available in Aug. 2026. Though, the reverse-osmosis system is expected to be operational by the end of 2026. The county previously said there are no expected changes to the original $167.3 million construction cost and no planned water-rate increases related to the delays.
Another active lawsuit tied to the project
Separate court records show at least one subcontractor lawsuit tied to the project. Court records show LaForce, LLC, sued Oscar Renda and the project's sureties in Dec. 2025 under the payment bond.
LaForce alleged it was owed $99,170.60 for labor and materials supplied to the Northwest Water Treatment Plant expansion.
The sureties appeared in the LaForce case and contested liability, according to court filings. However, a court clerk entered default against Oscar Renda in May 2026 after finding the company failed to answer the complaint.
On Aug. 7, 2026, the clerk entered a default judgment awarding LaForce $99,170.60 and $220 in court costs.
Court documents show the judgment was docketed in Durham and Mecklenburg counties. LaForce later obtained a writ of execution seeking collection of the judgment, with the writ reflecting the judgment amount, accrued interest of 8% annually and costs totaling more than $100,000.
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Savanna Tenenoff covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at stenenoff@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Brunswick renews water plant lawsuit as project moves forward
