Phoenix Couple Faces $2,500 Plumbing Bill After City Truck Damages Pipes

Emily Gesell, a resident of south Phoenix, has faced a dire situation, going without water for over 36 hours. The issue stems from a water line connected to her property, which she claims was damaged by a City of Phoenix garbage truck, leaving her with a hefty $2,500 repair bill.

This dilemma began on August 11, 2023. A garbage truck reportedly ran over the water meter box situated in the alley behind her home, causing a significant leak. Video footage shared with 12News shows water gushing into the air from the damaged pipes. Repairs by the City of Phoenix included replacing the broken pipes with PVC materials.

However, complications arose in the following weeks. Gesell later learned that city workers discovered the water meter had been incorrectly installed, a situation that required correction but not additional repairs. Michael Gertzman of the Phoenix Water Services Department clarified that the adjustment was not part of the original repair process.

Subsequent to these adjustments, Gesell woke one morning to find her water pressure drastically low. A city worker informed her of a recent leak in the alley, which appeared to be linked to the PVC pipes repaired by the city. Following this, a foreman confirmed that the leak was beyond the water meter and attributed the initial damage to an event over a year ago, placing the financial responsibility on the homeowner.

After contacting a third-party plumbing service, Gesell received a bill nearing $2,500. She expressed her frustration, saying, “We don’t have disposable income to just be thrown away at this, so it’s got to go on a credit card.” Navigating the subsequent claims process with the city seems daunting, adding to her stress.

The reason for the recent leak remains uncertain. Gertzman noted that a broken transmitter wire led to faulty meter readings, compelling them to shut off the water supply to prevent further loss. However, he stated that no recent evidence linked the leak to actions by city garbage trucks.

In Gesell’s view, the problem stems from improper repair practices, as advised by a plumber who said that copper piping should have been used instead of PVC. She believes that cost-cutting measures might have been prioritized over quality during the initial repair process. “It feels like they went the cheapest way to fix their mistake,” she pointedly remarked.

In response to the situation, Gertzman offered insight into the city’s position, urging Gesell to file a claim with the City of Phoenix Risk Management Division for further assessment. He reassured her of the city’s commitment to address her concerns promptly and fairly.

A detailed timeline of the city’s actions has also been made public, outlining their investigations and repairs concerning the initial and subsequent leaks. While they acknowledged the ongoing challenges, their focus remains on finding an equitable resolution.

As Gesell considers pursuing the claim process, she longs for a more straightforward approach from the City of Phoenix. “If they could just reimburse the costs. Let us submit the bill right to them,” she suggested, emphasizing her desire to alleviate the financial burden and stress on her family caused by this issue.