Tuesday, July 12, 2011

What are the rights of residents when it comes to an interruption in water service?

The Houston Street Corridor Reconstruction continues... scheduled to wrap up in 2013 (heh — right!)...


A resident who lives along Second Street between Avenue C and D has a question about water shut-off regulations as they pertain to projects by the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC).

According to the reader, "usually my building gets maybe a 12-hour notice for shut offs that will happen the next day from 8 am - 4 pm. They've even done this on a Saturday."

The water interruption affects all buildings on the north side of Houston/Second Street and Avenues C and D.

Last Wednesday, however, the resident said that officials gave them very short notice before shutting off the water all day, which interrupted plans and other business matters. Apparently officials can give less than 24-hour notice for any emergency construction, and all construction can be considered emergency for any reason (via 311).

The resident and the resident's neighbors have filed multiple complaints with the city and the field supervisor. One small victory — getting a couple days notice for the shut off last Tuesday, to then be followed up with no notice regarding Wednesday morning's interruption.

"We (my neighbors and I) are prepared to be flexible to support the infrastructure updates, but we need more notice and some input on timing and regularity.

Said the resident, "Can't help but think that if I lived on Park Avenue, the City might have a little more consideration for the tenants. Do I really have no rights as the City tells me?"


Anyone with any advice?
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