(April 25, 2019, 9:27 AM EDT) -- TRENTON, N.J. — A federal judge in New Jersey on April 11 entered final approval of a $43.5 million settlement for a class of homeowners who allege that cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) plumbing systems made by NIBCO Inc. are defective because they fail prematurely, causing water leaks, but modified the definition of the class to exclude from the class homes that were built in certain areas so the builders and contractors could also pursue claims against the manufacturer (Kimberly Cole, et al. v. NIBCO Inc., No. 13-cv-07871, D. N.J.)....