Eastern Queens Elected Officials and Civic Groups Demand Answers about 188th Street Water Leaks

USANEWSONLINE.COM DESK, QUEENS, NEW YORK – At a press conference on SUNDAY, January 13th at 10:30 AM at the intersection of 188th Street and 81st Avenue, Assemblymembers David I. Weprin & Nily Rozic and Councilmembers Barry S. Grodenchik & Rory I. Lancman will join local civic groups and residents to press the Public Service Commission and Verizon for information on the 188th Street water line leaks.

At least 32 private water service lines along the east side of 188th Street between 73rd Avenue and the Grand Central Parkway have failed, apparently because of stray voltage beneath the street, since 2017. Some homes have had their service lines fail more than once in this short period. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which oversees New York City’s water system, has informed the residents that repairing or replacing the affected pipes is the responsibility of the home owners, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in costs for local residents. At this time, the DEP has indicated that Verizon is likely the responsible party.

Since 2017, the DEP has been utilizing the services of an independent consultant, Corr-Tech, to identify the source of the leaks. In a 2018 report, the consultant stated that the leaks were not caused by city infrastructure but rather by stray voltage from a private utility. Specifically, the report indicated that Verizon infrastructure was the probable cause of the water line failures. Since then, the New York State Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities state wide, has requested additional testing from Verizon and DEP, in a letter to the company’s general counsel, has called for a concrete course of action.

All the elected officials involved strongly urge Verizon to responsibly address this matter in a timely manner for both the safety of the community and the financial wellbeing of the residents.

WHEN: SUNDAY, January 13th at 10:30 AM

WHERE: At the Intersection of 188th Street and 81st Avenue

WHO: Assemblymembers David I. Weprin & Nily Rozic and Councilmembers Barry S. Grodenchik & Rory I. Lancman and concerned residents. Press Release.