BATH — The community has rallied around a Bath woman whose home sustained $10,000 in damages from a water main break, donating money, supplies and labor to help her make repairs after both the water district and her insurance company initially denied her claims for compensation.

Joanne Adams awoke on Aug. 3 to find that a broken water main owned and maintained by the city was sending 900 gallons per minute onto her property and into the cellar of her Marshall Street home.

The flood ruined Adams’ furnace and hot water heater, and damaged the sump pump, in addition to causing damage to the cellar itself.

Her homeowners policy with Allstate Insurance doesn’t cover the damages. The Bath Water District (via Maine Municipal Insurance) cited municipal immunity and initially denied her request for compensation.

The district decided Tuesday to pay Adams $5,000 after receiving numerous calls from the public about the issue.

Adams went into debt to purchase a new furnace, but her hot water heater and sump pump still needed work. Now, thanks to the generosity of strangers, the hot water heater has been replaced and the sump pump has been repaired.

“I’m getting there,” said Adams. “It’s really been amazing what people have done.”

Soon after her story made news in Bath, people started emailing and calling Adams to let her know that they supported her.

Some went a step further and said they wanted to help.

Chris Malley, a complete stranger, donated a hot water heater. Patty Labbe of Brunswick and Chesterfield Associates Inc. of Westport Island said they knew someone who could hook it up, and offered to do it themselves if that didn’t work out.

“Whoever comes first is going to put it in,” said Adams.

Her sump pump was still functioning after the flood, but needed repairs.

Tom Mills of Bath sent her an email, came over, and fixed it for her.

“He said if that one doesn’t work, he has another one I can have,” said Adams.

Her gofundme.com page, which allowed people to donate money via the Web to cover the cost of Adams’ new furnace, had reached $3,025 toward its $8,000 goal as of Tuesday.

The page was removed after the water district voted to give her $5,000.

“I had one donation of $500 from someone I don’t even know,” she said.

Numerous others have called and emailed her offering advice and support.

“It’s been good to me for people to be behind me,” said Adams.

“It was really heartwarming that people cared.”

Now, Adams is working to ensure other homeowners don’t find themselves uncovered by insurance or city liability in the same situation.

Adams said she has met with a few state representatives to discuss the issue, and will help them any way she can.

“This could be 20 families on a street that this happened to,” said Adams. “I’ll do whatever the Senate and House people want me to do.”

Chris Chase can be contacted at:

cchase@coastaljournal.com

Twitter: cchaseCJ