An Oshawa resident, Bev Fiddler, is cautioning homeowners following Durham Region’s refusal to cover $1,600 in plumbing expenses resulting from a city-owned tree. Fiddler claims the region is unjustly enforcing its bylaw, penalizing her and her spouse for promptly addressing damage they did not cause.
The incident occurred on Jan. 3 when Fiddler noticed her sink was not draining while doing laundry in the basement. Despite their swift action to engage an emergency plumbing service upon discovering raw sewage, the couple faced a significant obstruction caused by a massive tree root in the water main drain. As per Fiddler, the responsible tree, located approximately nine meters from their home, falls under the City of Oshawa’s jurisdiction.
Although the city’s bylaw stipulates that the region will handle sewer service cleaning, including unblocking, reimbursement is void if individuals undertake cleaning without regional authorization. Following payment to the plumber, Fiddler reached out to the city, which promptly addressed the water main seal but directed her to seek reimbursement through the region’s website.
Despite pursuing the claim, Fiddler received a denial notification from the region in late January. She expressed dismay at the lack of flexibility in the region’s bylaw, emphasizing that the problem was beyond their control and they prioritized averting property damage, especially given the leak’s proximity to the electrical room.
Fiddler’s subsequent attempt to have the tree removed by the City of Oshawa to prevent future issues was met with a refusal due to the tree’s intact condition. Nevertheless, the city did trim the exposed tree roots in response to Fiddler’s concerns.
Reflecting on the financial burden incurred, Fiddler highlighted the challenge many face in covering unforeseen expenses in the current economic climate. Despite expressing frustration over the situation, she remains in contact with city officials seeking resolution.
While Fiddler’s claim remains closed following the region’s denial, ongoing discussions within the community suggest potential steps to address water and sewer issues in upcoming regional budgets, though no specific allocations have been confirmed for 2026.
