Safety Of Tap Water In Upper West Side Apartment Questioned
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Residents in one Upper West Side building have serious doubts about the quality of their tap water.
CBS2's Emily Smith spoke to residents who were disturbed by test results that showed fungus and bacteria flowing from their faucets.
Longtime New York resident Cristina Rosenbaum said she has always loved drinking the city's tap water.
"When we go to restaurants we get tap water. Hey, why not! New York City's finest," she said.
But a letter from her West 86th Street apartment complex shows that bacteria and fungus have been found in the tap water of at least one apartment. The tests were prompted by numerous complaints from residents at the Vaux over the past several months
"The last few months our water filter gets clogged quite often and there's a lot of sediment," said David Chacon.
In response to one complaint the Vaux had a lab sample taken from one apartment, the results of which prompted a vague, yet concerning letter to all 414 units in the complex.
The letter says, "our consultant has advised that this is an isolated, uncorroborated sample...residents who are concerned should either boil water before drinking or use bottled water."
The letter has prompted some residents to cease using tap water all together.
It went on to say that further testing would occur after Christmas weekend. It is now January and new test results have not been made available.
According to multiple tests done by the Department of Environmental Protection the issue is not a city one. However they say that it is possible that the issue could be with old plumbing or construction being done on the premises, management says that this is not the case.
Residents with pets and young children are particularly upset.
"There should be daily updates being provided to the tenants, and I still don't understand why at this point no-one has tested the water in my apartment. I have asked them repeatedly and with a two-year old, a four-year-old, and a nursing mother, it's of great concern to me," said one tenant.
Phone calls made to the building manager by CBS 2 have not been returned.
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