A NYC DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) Three Day Notice is generally a notice to repair a defective (leaking) main water line for a house. Depending on the severity of the leak the DEP may opt at their discretion to extend the period of the notice or take quicker action if an emergency condition is being created by the water main leak.
If you received a NYC DEP 3 DAY Notice for a water line leak, contact Alex Figliolia Water & Sewer right away at 718-852-8700, we will assist you from start to finish and get your issue resolved as quickly as possible.
How is the source of a leak determined?
The NYC DEP generally uses listening devices to determine the source of a water line leak. Typically a main water line for a house service will not have a sound on it unless water is running or leaking from it. In other words, with the main control valve turned off and no water running in the house there should be no sound heard on the line. On the other hand if the NYC water main in the roadway is broken there may be sounds on multiple water service lines for different houses – The sound from a broken city main can travel through multiple lines.
In some cases the DEP may excavate to determine the source of a water line leak. If a water service line is leaking and creating a dangerous condition the DEP may close the tap connection to stop the leak. In these few cases there is a $1,000.00 charge to the property owner – this charge does not include any required water main repair work. Once a tap connection is closed the owner of the premises will then be issues a ‘Ten Day Notice’.
How accurate is the DEP?
The trained field forces of the NYC DEP are remarkably accurate when assessing the source of a water line leak. The last audit on record has the NYC DEP with an accuracy rate of 99% – Needless to say anyone with an accuracy rate of 99% is doing a great job.
The DEP field forces are highly trained and have access to all sorts of water leak detection equipment. In addition, when the situations calls for it, the DEP can perform tests on water to also help determine the source of a leak. By performing a water test the DEP can determine whether it is from the drinking water supply, waste water, or ground water. This type of information is vitally important in determining the proper correct course of corrective action
Is your DEP 3 day notice accurate?
At Alex FIgliolia Water & Sewer, it is standard protocol to first open the roadway at the “tap hole” and close the connection to the city main. In theory, if the water line is turned off for the house in violation, the water leak should stop and there should be no noise on the water main. If the tap connection is closed and the leak continues, it is possible that the 3 day notice was issued in error. At this point the contractor will call DEP to the location and have them verify that the leak is actually coming from another house. The homeowner is still responsible to pay the contractor as per contract. At this point the contractor should assist the homeowner in filling out all forms and submitting it to the city comptroller’s office for a reimbursement.
