South Omaha family without running water for 3 weeks gets help after First Alert 6 investigation

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) — A South Omaha family spent about three weeks without running water following a dispute with the Metropolitan Utilities District over a broken water valve. After a First Alert 6 investigation, the utility paid for the repair.

Michael Digilio fell five months behind on his water bill, prompting MUD to shut off service. His daughter helped him obtain financial assistance to pay the overdue bill. When MUD crews went to restore service, the valve broke.

“I got the bill paid and when they went to turn it back on they broke it and they want me to pay for it. I can’t afford it, I got medical issues,” Digilio said.

Digilio was facing a $3,500 plumbing bill to replace the valve. His daughter, Grace Digilio, filed a damage claim with MUD.

“The only person that ever touched this hole is MUD. So any damages that could have been done to it is from them,” Grace Digilio said.

MUD denied the claim, stating in an email that while its crews operate the valves to connect and disconnect service, the valves and water line through the yard belong to the homeowner.

Three weeks without water

For about three weeks, the three-person household got water from a neighbor’s kitchen faucet to wash with and used an outside hose to fill buckets for toilet flushing.

Neighbor Carol Guhde stepped in to help.

“This is what neighbors do. We help each other out. They’ve helped us out before so it’s just us helping them,” Guhde said.

The resolution

Shortly after First Alert 6 contacted MUD, a private plumber arrived to repair the valve at no charge to the homeowner.

MUD provided the following statement: “Although we did not find evidence our crew was responsible, we decided to complete the repair to ensure continued reliable service for the customer.”

“You almost have me in tears. I am. I’m so grateful,” Michael Digilio said.

After a morning of work, water was restored to the home’s toilet, shower and sink.

Before MUD would pay for the repair, Michael Digilio was required to sign a notarized affidavit stating that neither he nor anyone he knew tried to turn on the water before the bill had been paid. Digilio adamantly denies that anyone tampered with the valve before MUD attempted to restore service.