D.C. Homeowner Sues City Over Water Issues

A homeowner is suing the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority after her mansion was destroyed by a July 2009 fire, according to WRC-TV.

Peggy Cooper Cafritz has filed a $30 million lawsuit claiming that inadequate fire hydrants and water pressure prevented fire crews from containing the blaze that tore through her home on Chain Bridge Road.

The video on the left is from a news report shortly after the fire occured

Following the fire, city officials acknowledged that there was poor communication between the water authority and the fire department about the water pressure and location of working fire hydrants, according to the report.

Since the fire occurred, the two departments have worked closely to maintain up-to-date information of locations of hydrants and available water pressures.

New water authority director George Hawkins issued a sympathetic statement last week, saying his department understands the loss Cafritz has faced.