City of Edwardsvillle denies responsibility in water line leak in resident's home

Madison County Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth set an Aug. 21 case management conference in a lawsuit filed by Edwardsville residents against the City over a water main line leak.

Raymere N. Oglesby, who owns property at 407 Olive Street, and Maxie Johnson, who owns property at 605 Hill Lane, claim the walls, concrete flooring and foundations of their properties suffered extensive water damage, which led to mold, because of a water main line leak discovered on Aug. 25, 2009.

In the complaint, Oglesby and Johnson blame Edwardsville for causing their damages, saying the city failed to timely repair a leak that it had knowledge of.

Oglesby and Johnson are seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Ruth had previously set the case for trial in September, 2012.

The City of Edwardsville contends the plaintiffs failed to mitigate their alleged damages by failing to use reasonable efforts to maintain their property. The city, in March 2011, demanded a trial by jury.

Peter J. Maag of the Maag Law Firm in Wood River represents the plaintiffs.

Charles A. Pierce of the Pierce Law Firm represents the City of Edwardsville.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-174.