For several weeks, a couple in the Bronx reports that their Longfellow Avenue apartment has experienced sewage issues, with waste coming up through the toilet and bathtub. They say the bathroom has repeatedly flooded with contaminated water. One resident, Victor, was hospitalized with a bacterial infection, and the couple has requested relocation while repairs are carried out.
According to News 12, building management told the tenants it was working on the problem and promised that water service would be restored and a plumber would arrive “within the hour.” When News 12 visited the unit, however, the apartment still had no running water, and the couple says no plumber ever showed. They say they are worn out from constant cleanups and increasingly fearful about what continued exposure could mean for their health.
Health risks and cleanup
Public health guidance identifies sewage-contaminated water as a serious biohazard that can contain bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing protective equipment, discarding porous items that cannot be fully disinfected, and using professionals for Category 3 sewage events. These recommendations align with the couple’s concerns following Victor’s hospitalization and highlight the risks associated with delayed cleanup and repairs.
Why this keeps happening
The couple’s ordeal fits into a broader city pattern where heavy rainfall, aging infrastructure and clogged lines mean sewage can surge back into homes. The City has reported a recent spike in sewer-backup complaints. The Department of Environmental Protection has been pursuing short-term fixes alongside studies for more permanent engineering work, but many of the bigger solutions are years away. In the meantime, tenants in some buildings can find themselves stuck in situations that drag on far longer than anyone would like.
What tenants can do now
For renters dealing with similar problems, experts recommend documenting everything. That includes photos or videos of the damage, medical records that might show related health issues, and formal complaints so the conditions are on the record. The city’s reporting portal accepts service requests for sewer backups and water outages; tenants can use NYC311 to file a report and track its status. Keeping written records of requests and communication with building management can be important later if tenants seek relocation or push for city enforcement.
Legal and housing enforcement
Under city housing codes, landlords are required to provide safe, sanitary living conditions, and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development is responsible for enforcing those rules. If HPD finds hazardous conditions, it can cite the building and order corrective work, and in some cases displaced tenants may qualify for emergency relocation depending on what inspectors determine. Tenants who believe their health is at risk can also reach out to tenant-advocacy groups for guidance on possible legal options…