ADAMS TWP — Erie Insurance Company is suing the manufacturer of a bidet, claiming a defective hose fractured and leaked water throughout a township home and caused the company to pay $336,439 to cover damages to the home and contents.

The suit was filed Tuesday, Jan. 20, in Butler County Court against the manufacturer, Aqua Earth, LLC of Sheridan, Wyo.

Erie Insurance, which insured the property owners, Jaclyn and Hans Gren, and the tenants, Mark and Amber Mancini, said the bidet had been installed by a previous tenant who lived in the home on Southern Valley Court.

On March 31, while the bidet was not in use, the hose of the bidet failed and fractured, allowing water to escape throughout the home and causing significant damage to the property and contents, according to the suit.

The hose was designed, manufactured, tested, marketed and sold with inadequate materials that were not able to withstand the stresses created by normal use, according to the suit.

At the time of the leak, the bidet was in the same or substantially similar condition as it was when it was designed, manufactured, tested and sold, according to the suit.

As a result of the leak, Erie Insurance paid the Grens and Mancinis in excess of $336,439 pursuant to their insurance policies.

The suit includes claims of strict liability, negligence and breach of the implied warranty.

Aqua Earth could not be reached for comment Monday.