Neighbors dispute water main break denial at city commission [Video]

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Months after a water main break on Grand Rapids’ southeast side affected nearly 200 homes, neighbors in the area say they’re working to pick up the pieces with no financial help from the city.

The water main broke June 13 at the intersection of Adams Street SE and Philadelphia Avenue SE, flooding the neighborhood. Grand Rapids has said it is not liable for the damages caused by the flood and would not reimburse residents.

Neighbors took their concerns to the Grand Rapids city commission.

“The city rejecting this claim is not only unbelievable, it’s unacceptable,” one resident at Tuesday night’s meeting said. “I want to ask you, is your conscience immune? Is the City of Grand Rapids morally exempt as well? The city is responsible for our damage.”

Residents shared their stories about the tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of damages from the city’s water main break back in June. The city’s …