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My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long). Update at bottom!

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BaroqueMama
Chase is one!

Member since 5/05

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me

My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long). Update at bottom!

I'm going to try to explain this the best I can, but if it needs clarification, please let me know.
First, we live basically on the water on a dead end street. At the end of my street is a small boat yard, then a canal. All of the houses on my block have basements. We all have sump pumps, and sometimes, when it rains like we've had rain this past week, the ground water comes up through the floors of our basements and all of our pumps go off. The water will pump for about a day, then stop. I've never seen someone pumping their basement for more than that length of time.
So, we live on a dead end street. It's very short, only about 8 houses that are actually on the block, but at the cross street, the two houses on the corner both have driveways that lead to our block, even though they are technically on the cross street. Does that make sense? Anyway, one of the houses had work being done to the basement a few weeks ago. I could see the guys going down to the basement and working outside, etc. Well, in the last few weeks, we finally realized what they were doing: the dug an underground trench for the pump to pump out their basement onto our block, not the cross street that's a more main road. That would be well and fine, however, ever since they put this underground line in, it is continuously, and I mean never-ending, pumping water down our block. It's so much water that it has a current as it runs down our block. I swear it's like a waterfall over the curb and then a rolling stream down our block. We're a single lane road and the dead end has poor drainage. So last week, neighbors at the dead end walked down and saw us outside. They told us that the water is so deep down by their house that they have no where to park their cars because their driveway is under 2-3 feet of waterChat Icon and they were going to ask the people up the block what the deal was because they wanted to call the town and village to complain. So on their way back, they told us that the people said that they have an underground stream running through their basementChat Icon and just spent 10 grand to get a pump to keep up with the water. And that they were all sick from the mold in the basement, yada, yada. Ok. That's really crappy and all, but why on earth are they pumping it down our block with poor drainage? Why aren't they pumping it onto the main road where there are sewers?
I'm really upset. Not only is it a pain in the *** to constantly have a flow of water down my block, but it's already attracting more bugs and there's a poor woman trying to sell her beautiful home that now has a pond on her front lawn from these people. Also, it's eventually going to eat up the already bumpy asphalt. So, here's my question, who do I call? What do I do? I cannot live like this with a gushing stream running down my block forever. I can't even go for a walk with Ava because the water covers your shoes when you walk in the street. I'm so angry and so are my neighbors, but I think they felt bad for the family that they were getting sick from the mold, but I keep saying that the drain they put in is probably illegal or else they would have put it through to the main road.
If you've made it this far, I appreciate it immensely. I'm so upsetChat Icon

Message edited 6/22/2009 12:38:38 PM.

Posted 6/20/09 10:24 PM
 
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Goobster
:)

Member since 5/07

27557 total posts

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:)

Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long).

I believe what they did was illegal and you need to call the town ASAP. Whatever town you live in, you need to call and report it pronto!

Posted 6/20/09 10:29 PM
 

Chatham-Chick
*********************

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Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long).

Definitely call the town.

Posted 6/20/09 10:32 PM
 

LJSMommy
Love him!

Member since 10/07

3189 total posts

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Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long).

I would call the town hall & ask who to speak to about concerns having to do with neighbors doing illegal type of work to their house. Like if you lived West Islip call Town of Islip Town Hall.

Posted 6/20/09 10:33 PM
 

BaroqueMama
Chase is one!

Member since 5/05

27530 total posts

Name:
me

Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long).

Thank you ladies for reading and responding. I live in Patchogue, but in the Village. Should I call the village first? I know these are dumb questions, but we've never had a problem here before, so I don't know who to contact. We're technically in the town of Brookhaven, but Brookhaven is huge, I can't imagine they'd give a rat's azz about my water problemChat Icon

Posted 6/20/09 10:38 PM
 

Sneezy
Thankful for my miracle!

Member since 5/05

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Jen

Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long).

Start with the village; then call the town if you don't get anywhere.  My guess is that the town is who you need though.  They have more power.

Posted 6/20/09 10:44 PM
 

justthe4ofus
I hate hypocrites!!!!!

Member since 5/05

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Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long).

I have to tell you the town of Brookhaven's buildings department is VERY responsive and quick. I have dealt with them several times about a foreclosed house on my block. They are quick. I would call 451-town and explain the situation. They will direct you to the correct department but I am pretty sure you will go to the buildings department or code violations. Mazzei is your councilman but I find him to be a waste and completely unresponsive, though he might be better since you are on the South Shore, he cares more about the water town. I would also call the village too.

Good luck

Posted 6/20/09 10:45 PM
 

BaroqueMama
Chase is one!

Member since 5/05

27530 total posts

Name:
me

Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long).

Thanks, everyone!

Posted 6/20/09 10:47 PM
 

Goobster
:)

Member since 5/07

27557 total posts

Name:
:)

Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long).

Call the Village for sure. They would handle this.

Oh they will definitely be responsive. With an issue such as this, I can't imagine them overlooking it.

Posted 6/20/09 11:10 PM
 

JennZ
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Member since 8/05

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Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long).

Posted by lehcar

Thank you ladies for reading and responding. I live in Patchogue, but in the Village. Should I call the village first? I know these are dumb questions, but we've never had a problem here before, so I don't know who to contact. We're technically in the town of Brookhaven, but Brookhaven is huge, I can't imagine they'd give a rat's azz about my water problemChat Icon



My Aunt works for Patch village, actually the mayor. I would call there first. They will do something. Patch village is pretty good about things like this.

Posted 6/21/09 8:39 AM
 

browneyedgirl
family is all that matters

Member since 6/06

6513 total posts

Name:
browneyes

Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long).

definitely call the village building department asap!!! that is horrible. i would think your neighbors would have needed a permit for that work since you live in a village.

in the meantime, take pictures and LOTS of them!! take video of the water streaming out of the house and down the block and what it's doing to neighbors' houses. that way even if it clears up by the time the town gets to you, you have CLEAR proof of the damage it is causing and the severity of the problem.

good luck!!

Posted 6/21/09 8:48 AM
 

Nifheim
allo

Member since 1/09

5476 total posts

Name:
Jennifer

Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long).

if you live near water you need a pump in the basement but you should aim it so that it drains off correctly and not pooling anywhere. Legally you can not attach it to sewers even though in the end its going in the sewer system (makes no sense right?) they bought a house that basically is going to constantly flood. They need to put a subbasement in most likely, two sub pumps, french drains, etc. This is why as much as I love the water I would avoid living right there because now with water levels rising this is more of an issue.

Call the village first, then the town. The village has power over the town when your in that setup. They have to fix the drainage issues first on the street but that might not be for years. Meanwhile having a neighbor pumping water that will in fact hurt your homes needs to be addressed.

Posted 6/21/09 10:01 AM
 

julybaby07
LIF Adult

Member since 11/06

1025 total posts

Name:
JJ

Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long).

My aunt had a flood problem in her front yard. When it rained she had water coming to her front steps. She called and complained for almost a year and everytime it rained she would take a picture and email it to the village. The village finally fixed the problem by putting a another drainage pipe.

Posted 6/21/09 10:34 AM
 

BaroqueMama
Chase is one!

Member since 5/05

27530 total posts

Name:
me

Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long).

Posted by julybaby07

My aunt had a flood problem in her front yard. When it rained she had water coming to her front steps. She called and complained for almost a year and everytime it rained she would take a picture and email it to the village. The village finally fixed the problem by putting a another drainage pipe.



Is this in Patchogue, or another village?

Anyway, it seems someone must have complained already because public safety was just down here about an hour ago looking into the issue. We flagged him down on his way out and he said someone called and complained to the department of housing. He said he was sent to take a look at the problem and he's absolutely horrified by the problem. He said that down the block where the main flood is, there are swarms of mosquitos and he's going to go and report it as a safety and a health issue. He said that most likely they will find a way to drain the water, then deal with the people and their run-off from their basement separately. I'm still calling tomorrow, but at least I know they are aware of it.

Posted 6/21/09 11:30 AM
 

Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!

Member since 6/06

14437 total posts

Name:
C

Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long).

Posted by Goobster

I believe what they did was illegal and you need to call the town ASAP. Whatever town you live in, you need to call and report it pronto!




I agree. Something like that they would need permits (I would think) and I doubt the town would permit them to turn the drain towards a block that already has drainage problems.

Posted 6/21/09 1:17 PM
 

MrsM-6-7-08
<3

Member since 8/06

4249 total posts

Name:
Nicole

Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long).

Posted by lehcar

Posted by julybaby07

My aunt had a flood problem in her front yard. When it rained she had water coming to her front steps. She called and complained for almost a year and everytime it rained she would take a picture and email it to the village. The village finally fixed the problem by putting a another drainage pipe.



Is this in Patchogue, or another village?

Anyway, it seems someone must have complained already because public safety was just down here about an hour ago looking into the issue. We flagged him down on his way out and he said someone called and complained to the department of housing. He said he was sent to take a look at the problem and he's absolutely horrified by the problem. He said that down the block where the main flood is, there are swarms of mosquitos and he's going to go and report it as a safety and a health issue. He said that most likely they will find a way to drain the water, then deal with the people and their run-off from their basement separately. I'm still calling tomorrow, but at least I know they are aware of it.



I am glad someone came and took a look at the problem. Definitely call tomorrow, I am sure they are going to take care of this issue, Try not to worry even though i know how hard this must be. I hope it gets fixed very soon

Posted 6/21/09 8:24 PM
 

sunnyplus3
:)

Member since 11/05

8749 total posts

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Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long).

My first thought was Vector control, the dept that handles health issues related to mosquitos. In town of brookhaven you have to go to town hall in person to file a compliant, bring your pictures.
Good luck!

Posted 6/21/09 9:39 PM
 

BaroqueMama
Chase is one!

Member since 5/05

27530 total posts

Name:
me

Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long).

Well, it seems I didn't need to make phone calls after all. I was just outside doing some yard work and I saw at the end of my block a police officer from the Dept. of Environmental Conservation taking a look at the water situation at the end of my block. He drove up and started asking me questions about how long the water has been flowing down the block and if I knew anything about the work the people on the corner had done. I told him everything I knew and he was extremely disgusted by the situation and told me their investigating it and something will definitely be done.Chat Icon

Posted 6/22/09 12:38 PM
 

BaroqueMama
Chase is one!

Member since 5/05

27530 total posts

Name:
me

Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long). Update at bottom!

Wow, since I wrote my update, the village is now at the end of the block pumping out the excess water and getting ready to dig new drainsChat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Go Patchogue Village!

Posted 6/22/09 1:35 PM
 

Cpt2007
A new love!

Member since 1/08

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Liz

Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long). Update at bottom!

Posted by lehcar

Wow, since I wrote my update, the village is now at the end of the block pumping out the excess water and getting ready to dig new drainsChat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Chat Icon Go Patchogue Village!



hurray!! glad they are fixing it! Chat Icon

Posted 6/22/09 2:15 PM
 

JldDolphin

Member since 1/07

6929 total posts

Name:
Jen

Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long). Update at bottom!

that was quick! and great! Chat Icon

Posted 6/22/09 2:31 PM
 

dpli
Daylight savings :)

Member since 5/05

13973 total posts

Name:
D

Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long). Update at bottom!

My guess is that the Village acted quickly because the DEC got involved. If the DEC wrote up a violation, the village, and those homeowners could be facing serious fines. If the water is being discharged to a local waterway, the DEC takes that pretty seriously.

Glad you got some resolution.

Posted 6/22/09 3:01 PM
 

mandasue
LIF Adolescent

Member since 3/09

772 total posts

Name:
Amanda

Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long). Update at bottom!

glad you are on the way to fixing the problem

good luck and i hope everything works out for your block

Posted 6/22/09 3:03 PM
 

imyself

Member since 10/06

2938 total posts

Name:
me

Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long). Update at bottom!

I am glad things are getting fixed. I just hope they are nailing the problem homeowner for the cost. Your tax dollars shouldn't have to pay for the homeowner who is illegally pumping.

Not to be Debbie Downer but this may not solve the bug issue. they are digging new drainage basins. Which is all well and good so the water won't be on the road. but it will be sitting in the basin until it can all leach out. If the ground is saturated then it will take forever for the water to leech out and it will be sitting there breeding mosquitoes. The problem homeowner should be having the water piped around their home so the water stays underground.

Posted 6/22/09 3:47 PM
 

julybaby07
LIF Adult

Member since 11/06

1025 total posts

Name:
JJ

Re: My block is having a really big issue. Need advice (long). Update at bottom!

that's greatChat Icon

Posted 6/22/09 6:47 PM
 
 

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