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Video: Brown Tap Water In Bushwick Is Not Specifically Too Good
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 7, 2012
Modified Mar 7, 2012
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By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 7, 2012
Modified Mar 7, 2012
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The tap water in a section of Bushwick near the border of Queens is coming out filthy and stinking, as you can see from these disgusting photos and video. A tipster who resides on Linden Street between Myrtle and Wyckoff tells us that as of last night "all the water on my block is running yellowish-brown with little bits of particulate that settle out of it if you let it sit. The water has a metallic, sort of hard smell with a hint of sewer. Apparently it's not just my building, but the whole block. I'm contacting other neighbors in the area to see how big the phenomenon is. Pretty gross!" Gross, indeed:
Why today, of all days, did we have to run out of Cheerios?!
Our source says his landlord spoke with the landlord next door, and that building also has the disgusting brown water emerging from the taps. In fact, 311 has gotten calls about the water from all over the neighborhood, and across the border in Queens. "Restaurants and bodegas are still open—this is a serious health hazard—ice, coffee, tea being made from this water will be contaminated," our tipster portends. Here's his video of the water:
A DEP spokesman did not immediately have any information about the filthy water, but they're looking into it, and we'll update as more information becomes available. A receptionist at 311 says, "Occasionally street construction or water main work can cause the water to turn brown." But 311 confirmed there was no planned water shutdown because of construction anywhere in Brooklyn yesterday, today, or tomorrow. If you're water is coming out like this, you can request a test kit, which will arrive in 10 days, with results of the test promised within 30 days. Bathing's overrated anyway!
UPDATE: Nothing to worry about! A DEP spokesman tells us, "We’ve been performing routine work in the area, which may have caused the issue. There are no health impacts. In the meantime, residents experiencing discolored water should run their taps cold until the water runs clear. Typically, these kinds of disruptions are short-lived."
Tagged
brooklyn
bushwick
queens
tap water
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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