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)

Construction work is done on the outside of the IPEX factory that makes PVC pipes Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Woodfin, N.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

PVC pipe is stacked at the IPEX factory as visible from the French Broad River, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Woodfin, N.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Workers from MountainTrue paddle IPEX PVC pipe they collected from the riverbank Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in Alexander, N.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)