An Oshawa resident cautions homeowners following a situation where Durham Region refused to reimburse $1,600 in plumbing expenses due to damage caused by a city-owned tree. Bev Fiddler expressed frustration, stating that the region’s bylaw unfairly penalized them for promptly addressing the issue they did not create.
Fiddler noticed a sink drainage problem while doing laundry on January 3, leading to raw sewage backup. Upon investigation, they discovered a large tree root obstructing the water main, traced back to a tree under Oshawa’s jurisdiction located near their property.
Despite promptly fixing the issue and contacting the city, Fiddler received no reimbursement from the region for the plumbing costs. The city did cover the seal on the watermain but directed her to file a claim on the region’s website for further reimbursement, which was later denied without her knowledge of the bylaw.
Fiddler was informed that her only recourse was legal action, which she found costly and unjust given the urgency of the situation. She emphasized the lack of financial preparedness for such emergencies in the community, stressing the impact on individuals without the means to cover unforeseen expenses.
Efforts to have the tree removed by the City of Oshawa to prevent future incidents were met with constraints due to the tree’s condition. While some maintenance was conducted on the tree roots, the issue remains unresolved, and Fiddler’s claim remains closed as per Durham Region.
Despite seeking support from her local councillor and ongoing discussions within the community, Fiddler continues to face the financial burden resulting from the incident. The region has not indicated any budget allocations for addressing similar issues in the upcoming year, leaving unresolved concerns over insurance claims and accountability in the area.