HOME BUILDER SUED IN SALINAS VS

AT LEAST 3 LAW SUITS WERE FILED AGAINST AWARD HOMES INCORPORATED, INVOLVING ABOUT 13 HUNDRED SALINAS HOMES. HUNDREDS OF HOMEOWNERS SAY THEY HAVE DEALT WITH YEARS OF PROBLEMS DUE TO DEFECTIVE PLUMBING. LAWYERS ON BOTH SIDES BLAME THE PROBLEMS ON SALINAS PLUMBING CODES. IN 1991, THE SALINAS CITY COUNCIL VOTED FOR WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES THAT REQUIRE HOT WATER RECIRCULATION SYSTEMS IN ALL NEW HOMES. THE SYSTEM KEEPS HOT WATER CIRCULATING IN PIPES BETWEEN THE WATER HEATER (AND THE FAUCETS) GIVING USERS HOT WATER QUICKLY. WATER IS SAVED BECAUSE COLD WATER DOESN'T HAVE TO RUN UNTIL THE TAP DELIVERS WARM WATER. SANTA CLARA-BASED AWARD HOMES IS ONE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA'S LARGEST HOME DEVELOPERS.