A Winnipeg senior and her son say they'll take the city to court after it charged her for water she didn't use while she was in hospital.

Karin Kozak says she has had seven strokes and was in the hospital for two years, but she somehow ended up with a $1,500 water bill in that period of time.

"I'm just a grandmother who's trying hard to recover, and they make it difficult with things like this," she said.

Karin Kozak says she was in the hospital for two years, but she somehow ended up with a $1,500 water bill in that period of time. (CBC) "There is nothing. I owe them no money. If anything, they owe me."

Her son, Lee Kozak, said he took care of his mother's house while she was away and did not use much water.

"I had a couple showers, did a couple loads of laundry and, you know, flushed the toilet a few times and that was it," he said.

Kozak said the city chalked the low water usage to a broken meter and billed for estimated water usage.

She added that her water bills are usually $35 to $50 for each billing period, but the city's estimate was closer to $250.

Officials with the city's water and waste department have told Kozak to change the meter or face prosecution for violating a bylaw.

However, both Kozak and her son insist the meter is not broken.

"We'll appeal it, retain counsel and then take it from there," Lee Kozak said.

A city spokesperson told CBC News that estimates are based on past usage. It did not comment on Kozak's case, citing privacy concerns.