It has been nearly a year since a water main break in New Westminster caused extensive damage to several high-rise buildings due to flooding. On Valentine’s Day 2025, the city was hit with a sudden deluge as water overflowed into streets, buildings, and parking garages. The aftermath left roads closed, power outages, and a scene of chaos for residents and city crews.
Zoran Filipovic, a resident of Jamieson Court, reflects on the past year as a challenging time. He shares his struggles of taking stress leave from work, enduring noise and odor issues, spending over $10,000 on various expenses, and still facing limitations on building amenities despite paying full property taxes.
The incident, caused by a burst water main, resulted in significant property damage, including destroyed cars, elevator rooms, and transformers. Filipovic expresses frustration at the lack of accountability from both Metro Vancouver, responsible for the pipe, and the City of New Westminster.
While initial blame was placed on Metro Vancouver, Filipovic now feels let down by the city’s response over the past year. He voices his disappointment in the lack of answers and accountability from the authorities involved, emphasizing the need for transparency and responsibility in handling such crises.
Despite efforts to file claims and calls for a class-action lawsuit, Filipovic remains uncertain about the resolution of the situation. Concerns about the impact on real estate values in the area linger, with property sales facing challenges in the aftermath of the incident.
In response to the claims, the City of New Westminster has acknowledged numerous potential claims but redirected inquiries to Metro Vancouver. The regional district, meanwhile, cites unforeseeable factors contributing to the water main break and the subsequent inability to address claims under the Local Government Act.
While some repairs have been undertaken to prevent future incidents, residents like Filipovic continue to seek answers and resolution in the aftermath of the catastrophic water main break.