Enid Loses Water Line Fight with Appeals Court

Couple awarded victory in lawsuit over damages caused by city's water line construction

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:06pm

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A serene, nostalgic painting of a rural road leading to a lone water tower, the scene bathed in warm sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the legal dispute over a municipal infrastructure project's impact on private landowners.The legal battle over a municipal water line project exposes the tensions between infrastructure needs and private property rights in small-town Oklahoma.Enid Today

The Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals has ruled in favor of a northern Oklahoma couple, the Regiers, who sued the city of Enid over damages caused by the construction of a water line several years ago. The court determined that the Regiers' complaint letter to the city substantially complied with the Governmental Tort Claims Act, reversing the lower court's decision to grant summary judgment in favor of the city.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of municipalities following proper procedures when undertaking major infrastructure projects that impact private property owners. The appeals court ruling underscores the need for cities to be accountable for damages caused during construction, even if property owners do not follow every technical requirement to the letter.

The details

In 2015, the city of Enid began construction of a large water line and employed a contractor. The Regiers, who owned property near Kaw Lake, granted four easements across their land for the project. They claim the construction damaged their topsoil, left equipment and structures permanently on their property, and resulted in a crop loss. The Regiers sent a complaint letter to the city in 2024, but the city argued the letter did not meet the requirements of the Governmental Tort Claims Act. A lower court judge sided with the city, but the appeals court found the letter was sufficient to comply with the act, reversing the decision.

  • In the summer of 2015, Enid began construction of the water line.
  • On October 23, 2023, Ronald Regier sent a letter to the city identifying monetary damages.
  • On February 1, 2024, the Regiers sent a complaint letter to the city's legal department.
  • In February 2025, the lower court judge granted summary judgment in favor of the city.
  • In 2026, the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals reversed the lower court's decision.

The players

Ronald and Sandra Regier

A northern Oklahoma couple who own property near Kaw Lake and sued the city of Enid over damages caused by the construction of a water line on their land.

City of Enid

The municipal government in northern Oklahoma that constructed a water line project that allegedly caused damages to the Regiers' property.

Judge Tom Newby

The Garfield County District Court judge who initially sided with the city of Enid and granted summary judgment in their favor.

Chief Appeals Court Judge Stacie L. Hixon

The Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals judge who reversed the lower court's decision, finding the Regiers' complaint letter substantially complied with the Governmental Tort Claims Act.

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What they’re saying

“The letter demanded compensation for crop loss and threatened to file suit in the district court. Attached to that letter as an exhibit is a prior letter from Plaintiff Ronald Regier to the City of Enid, dated October 23, 2023, which specifically identifies at least some of the monetary damage Plaintiffs claim to have sustained as a result, in particular for damage to crops and removal of topsoil.”

— Chief Appeals Court Judge Stacie L. Hixon

What’s next

The case will now return to the Garfield County District Court for further proceedings.

The takeaway

This appeals court ruling underscores the importance of municipalities following proper procedures when undertaking major infrastructure projects that impact private property owners. It highlights the need for cities to be accountable for damages caused during construction, even if property owners do not follow every technical requirement to the letter.