White­stone Residents Demand Answers After Major Sewage Flood

Several Whitestone homeowners are still cleaning up after a major sewage problem last week. What's even more concerning, they say, is that no one has taken responsibility. NY1's Gene Apodaca filed the following report.

Five days after raw sewage flooded his and many of his neighbors basements James Martino is still cleaning out.

The Whitestone resident says it’s been a nightmare dealing with the mess and the smell, not to mention the cost.

“With everything probably close to $20,000,“ said Martino.

NY1 obtained photos showing what residents had to deal with Friday, when black sewage came pouring out of their pipes. The mess affected nearly the entire block of 10^th Avenue. It happened during a heavy rain storm.

Anne Kelly showed us cell phone video of what her basement suffered.

“I have beige ceramic floor and it looked like a black carpet with huge beige veins through it, it was absolutely disgusting,“ said Kelly.

Residents believe the backup has to do with an on-going sewage project taking place on the street.  They believe when crews re-lined pipes earlier this month, they restricted the normal flow of the waste. 

However, The City’s Department of Design and Construction, which is overseeing a contractor’s work, blames the problem on Friday’s heavy rains, which they say impacted many neighborhoods in the city.

The department says it is taking the situation seriously, and investigating the drainage system to figure out the problem.

Resident Ed Schwartz, who actually received a ticket for leaving his damaged items on the curb too early, questions whether city officials have any empathy.  

“It makes me feel like that they could care less about us,” said Schwartz.

Residents say they’re concerned that if this area does experience another heavy rainfall that this all could happen again.

Residents will have a chance to voice their concerns at a meeting of the We Love Whitestone Civic Association next Wednesday.

A representative with the Comptroller’s office is scheduled to be at the meeting at Holy Trinity Church on 143rd Street.

Residents hope once and for all, someone will take responsibility.

“They’re saying it’s the city’s fault, the city says it’s the contractors fault and not sure what’s going on here yet,“ said Martino. 

Reporter: But it’s not your fault?

“Not my fault,” he said.