Mystery Manhole Leak Turns Queens Loading Dock Into Ice Rink

Flooded manhole poses hazard for food wholesaler M&V Provisions, disrupting deliveries across the Tri-State Area.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 3:07pm

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A flooded manhole in Queens has turned a loading dock into an icy hazard for the food wholesale company M&V Provisions, causing delivery trucks to get stuck and posing a safety risk to staff and customers. The mystery leak has been gurgling for over a month, and repeated 311 requests to the city have gone unanswered, leaving the family-owned business struggling to supply delis and restaurants across the region.

Why it matters

This issue highlights the challenges small businesses face when dealing with infrastructure problems beyond their control. The icy conditions created by the manhole leak are disrupting critical food supply chains, impacting both the wholesaler and its many customers across the Tri-State Area.

The details

The flooded manhole has created a constant flow of water, turning the loading dock into an ice rink. M&V Provisions' staff have tried using sandbags to dam up the manhole, but the efforts have been unsuccessful. The icy conditions have caused several people to fall, and a tractor-trailer full of eggs was unable to complete its delivery after getting stuck on the ice for three hours.

  • The mystery leak has been gurgling for more than a month.
  • The issue worsened after a recent snowstorm and deep freeze.

The players

M&V Provisions

A long-running family-owned food wholesale company that delivers ingredients and kitchen supplies across the Tri-State Area, serving thousands of bodegas, delis, and restaurants.

Mike Ciuffo

The president of M&V Provisions.

Joe Vallario

The co-owner of M&V Provisions.

Albert Arana

The loading dock manager at M&V Provisions.

Department of Environmental Protection

The city agency investigating the source of the manhole leak, which remains unclear whether it is a water main break or other condition.

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What they’re saying

“The water has nowhere to go, so it's 24/7 of just constant flow.”

— Mike Ciuffo, President, M&V Provisions (CBS News New York)

“We've had a few people fall.”

— Mike Ciuffo, President, M&V Provisions (CBS News New York)

“He got stuck on the ice. He was here for about three hours before they finally towed him out.”

— Joe Vallario, Co-owner, M&V Provisions (CBS News New York)

“We need those eggs.”

— Albert Arana, Loading Dock Manager, M&V Provisions (CBS News New York)

“It's been over a month now. We're getting no response from the city at all. This morning, we had to chase away about half a dozen tractor trailers that couldn't get in. We're trying to supply the city with food, and it's creating all sorts of problems.”

— Joe Vallario, Co-owner, M&V Provisions (CBS News New York)

What’s next

The Department of Environmental Protection has stated it is actively investigating the source of the manhole leak, but it remains unclear whether it is a water main break or another condition. The city agency has not yet reached out to M&V Provisions about the issue.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the critical role that small, family-owned businesses play in supporting the food supply chain, and the challenges they face when infrastructure problems beyond their control disrupt their operations. The lack of responsiveness from the city to address the manhole leak is exacerbating the situation for M&V Provisions and its many customers across the region.