A class action lawsuit has been filed against the city of Saint John seeking damages to pay for the cost of fixing water systems and the cost of repairing or replacing things like appliances, equipment and water heaters in the wake of the west side water switchover.
The lawsuit has two west siders, Frances Brownell and Cheryl Steadman named as the two representative plaintiffs in the suit which has been filed on behalf of west Saint Johners under the new water source. CHSJ News interviewed Brownell about her situation following the information session on the west side water problems hosted by mayor Don Darling.
The lawsuit, filed on Valentine’s Day, alleges that the city was ‘negligent and breached duties of care to the two plaintiffs and the class members.’
“The proposed Representative Plaintiffs and other Class Members have suffered an ascertainable loss as a result of the Defendants’ actions and/or omissions associated with the affected properties,” the lawsuit reads.
“An award of punitive damages to recognize the purposes of class actions, protect consumers and to punish and deter wrongful corporate conduct is entirely appropriate.”
The damages sought would also include the cost of testing all the water pipes, equipment and appliances for each class member at least two times in the next year.
It was back in September that the city switched the water source from lake water to water from the South Bay Wellfield. At last report from the city, on February 6, 107 reports of leaking pipes had been made to Saint John Water since the switchover.
“The City is aware that an action has been filed,” Lisa Caissie of the City tells CHSJ News. “The matter is currently under review, and the City is not in a position to comment.”
