Kamaljit Kaur appeared before Abbotsford city council asking that the city forgive a $29,000 water bill, accumulated after her Montrose Avenue industrial property flooded in November and December.
City policy is to not adjust bills for properties that are not occupied by the owner.
City staff noted the leak was losing water at a rate of 45 gallons per minute. City crews eventually discovered the problem, and shut off water to the vacant building.
Councillors deferred the matter, to answer questions about her communications with staff about the November bill, and whether she should have been able to spot the leak during a visit to the property – as staff did. Kaur said she visited the building, which has been vacant for five months and is up for sale, on a weekly basis.
