STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Since Mother Nature delivered one of the largest snowstorms New York City has seen in years in late January, Staten Island residents have been facing multiple water service issues.
On Thursday, Jan. 29, authorities responded to a water main break in Stapleton, where water was flooding onto Fulton Street near Warren Street. That same day, alerts went out regarding a water main break on Summer Street in the Fort Wadsworth area of the North Shore.
The Department of Environmental Protection responded to a water main break near the intersection of Spring and Hunter streets in Concord on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.Scott R. Axelrod | Staten Island Advance/SILive.com
Several days prior, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection reported a water main break on Spring Street between Hunter Street and Richmond Road in Concord, which left many residents in Dongan Hills Colony experiencing water service interruptions. According to a DEP spokesperson, repairs to the water main were completed the next morning and water service was restored.
In New Springville, residents and drivers reported an icing condition caused by an accumulation of water at Vassar Street and Nehring Avenue.
An icing condition on Vasaar Street is affecting homes for a half a block.(Steve White for the Advance/SILive.com)
An icing condition on Vasaar Street is affecting homes for a half a block.(Steve White for the Advance/SILive.com)Water main breaks
To explain why these breaks happen and how they are fixed, the DEP has released a YouTube video that details the delicate process.
“Nearly 44 percent of all water main breaks occur between December and February due to the freeze-thaw cycle putting added stress on the pipes,” shared a DEP spokesperson. “Across the five boroughs, DEP crews have been working around the clock in frigid temperatures to repair water main breaks, stop leaking hydrants, restore water service, and address other water‑related conditions caused by this historic stretch of winter weather.”
While most current water service issues appear to have subsided, more winter weather is on its way, and low temperatures are continuing into next week.
If you experience a loss of water service or discolored water at the tap, report it by calling 311 or filling out the online form located at on.nyc.gov/384rpZe. For more info on discolored or brown water, visit on.nyc.gov/38cXH4n.