Burst water main advice

[Phil Laundy]

We have a duplex with two great tenants. 2 weeks ago both sides flooded due to broken water main in front yard. Of course it was my side of the meter so we paid about $2k to replace the entire run. Now the affected tenant has received a water bill for $527.00. Water company is refusing to adjust the bill and my tenant is asking what we’re going to do. Normal bill is about $70.00. Has anyone dealt with this before? I don’t think the tenant needs to foot the bill but man it sucks to spent another $500 since we also recently spent $3500 on an HVAC! 

[Travis Gulley]

@Phil Laundy. I’m a plumber here in Colorado and our water works will give a customer one get out of jail free card for main water line breaks. You might call the water company yourself and see if you can see if they can do anything at all. If not I agree with you paying the water bill maybe minus the tenants normal monthly cost.