Sewage Problems Still Causing Sandy Victims Problems

 

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK

631-447-5252

Nearly five weeks after the East Coast was hammered by Hurricane Sandy, an abundance of Long Island residents are still facing unsafe and vile sewage problems.  In a WCBS-TV report, Larry Villegas of Bay Park showed his basement full of thick muck from his overflowing sewage water.  Still today, hundreds of Long Island residents are trying to manage the disgusting smell lining their homes.

The sewage system in Mr. Villegas area is managed by the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant, who has pledged to pay for the decontamination for Bay Park residents.  The contracted crew to help the efforts told WCBS they are gutting eight houses a day while working around the clock.  Villegas stated, “That’s priority one—get the cleanup done. Get the mold and the sewer water out of the house so I can start rebuilding my life.” 

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Health Concerns with Sewage in Sandy Aftermath

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK

631-447-5252

Two weeks after super storm Sandy hit, the damage still remains.  When the storm first hit the treatment pumps at the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant stopped working when it got flooded,

The solution was to divert raw sewage into the Rockaway channel to avoid excess backups into homes.   The sewage has only been partially treated as it continues to pump into the channel.  The raw sewage that is going into the plant is being treated and chlorinated, but the secondary systems are still down.  It was estimated that over nine feet of water rushed ashore during Sandy and caused massive destruction.  Raw sewage gushed up from the streets and drains like fountains and it rose up into residents’ basements. 

The damaged caused by this partially treated sewage could have lasting effects on the environment. The Bay Park plant that is only partially operational normally treats over 550,000 home in Nassau County.  Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano says “the county has the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Army Corps of Engineers at the plant, actively creating temporary cleansing station while they rebuild the plant.”  Part of the restoration plan will include developing new ways to make the plant flood-proof.

The plant isn't back to its normal operating efficiency, and most likely won’t be for 6 month up to a full year.

Sewer Systems Affected From Hurricane Sandy

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK

631-447-5252

In the aftermath of any hurricane, it is very common to experience difficulties with your sewage systems not functioning properly.  Some septic systems operate using a dosing pump, which will not work without electricity.  

The loss of electricity is one of the most common effects from a hurricane, so this could be a common problem.  You should avoid using water in your home as much as possible until the electric turns back on.  Without electricity and a properly working pump, the tanks may fill and cause backups of sewage into your home.  When this occurs your entire home can become saturated and become unsafe to occupy.  Heavy rainfall from hurricanes may result in flood waters that are contaminated with sewage.  

These overflows can take a significant amount of time to clean and can be dangerous to encounter.  Minor spills require immediate attention; regular garden lime from a garden shop can be a quick and easy remedy.  Major floods need to be handled by professionals and rescue crews.  In the event of major floods one should evacuate immediately until the area is cleared.