A Homeowner's Struggle with TasWater
Barbara Turner's dream of a new home turned into a nightmare when she discovered a "big pond" beneath her newly built house. This leak, caused by a damaged TasWater pipe, has left her downstairs uninhabitable and filled with a powerful odor and visible mold.
The ordeal began in June 2021 when Turner noticed the water issue. Despite contacting her builder, the council, and TasWater, the leak persisted for nine months. Emails obtained through Right to Information laws revealed TasWater employees initially dismissing the leak as not their responsibility.
Finally, in March 2022, the source was identified as a split TasWater pipe. While the pipe was repaired, the damage to Turner's home remains significant. The downstairs is unusable, and the constant moisture has caused extensive mold growth.
Turner seeks compensation for the expenses incurred, including power costs for running fans and humidifiers, the building report, and the furniture she had to discard. She also desires an apology from TasWater for the inconvenience and stress caused by their delayed response.
However, selling the house and moving on is not a simple solution for Turner. She is hesitant to pass on the damage to another buyer and worries that the mold and water damage will eventually affect the upstairs as well.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by homeowners dealing with water leaks and the importance of prompt action from water authorities. It also raises questions about TasWater's responsibility for leaks in their infrastructure and the compensation process for affected homeowners.