Clearwater Ecowater has filed their response to a suit filed by Western Nebraska Community College seeking damages for an alleged improper installation of a water softening system at Conestoga Hall. The college sued general contractor Heggem Construction and Ecowater for close to $30,000 for damages caused when a tube used to discharge water from the water softening system came loose last August at the new residence hall.

Ecowater, in its response this week, filed a counterclaim against Heggem, claiming the construiction company permitted employees to remove waterproof tape used to makea secure connection and pulled drainage lines from the drainage system. Ecowater claims Heggem also was negligent in the design of the plumbing, water delivery, and drainage system.

Heggem said in their response filed last month that they were not the general contractor for Ecowater, claiming the softwater company had their own contract with the college and was handling payment of damages from the incident with their insurance company. The college maintained in the suit Heggem had a one year guarantee in their contract to correct and repair any deficiencies on the construction project and pay any resulting damages. President Justin Heggem says his company "has met all the guarantee requirements for the (Conestoga Hall) project."