A worker from MountainTrue cuts IPEX PVC pipe taken from the riverbank so that it can fit in the truck Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in Alexander, N.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

A worker from Mountain True paddles past Ipex PVC pipe from the riverbank Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in Alexander, N.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

IPEX PVC pipe is visible at the Buncombe County Landfill, Thursday, September 24, 2026, in Alexander, N.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

A worker from MountainTrue brings IPEX PVC pipe to the Buncombe County Landfill, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Alexander, N.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

PVC pipe is transported on a truck from the IPEX factory that makes the pipe Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Woodfin, N.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

PVC pipe is stuck along the banks of the French Broad River directly on the riverbank in front of the IPEX factory that makes the pipe Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Woodfin, N.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

PVC pipe is stuck in the mud and in the French Broad River directly on the riverbank in front of the IPEX factory that makes the pipes Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Woodfin, N.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

PVC pipe is stacked at the IPEX factory that makes the pipes Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Woodfin, N.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)