Queens Residents Frustrated Over Persistent Water Main Break

City officials claim the issue is due to snow melt, but locals say the problem has persisted for over a month.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Residents in the Glendale neighborhood of Queens, New York have been dealing with a persistent water main break that has caused a massive puddle at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Forest Park Drive. The issue has been ongoing for over a month, despite the city's Department of Environmental Protection claiming the problem has been fixed. Local business owners and the city councilwoman are frustrated that the city is not taking the issue seriously and addressing the dangerous conditions caused by the constant water.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges New York City faces in maintaining its aging infrastructure, especially during the winter months when water main breaks are common. The prolonged nature of this particular issue has disrupted local businesses and created a public safety hazard, raising questions about the city's responsiveness to resident concerns.

The details

The water main break was first reported on January 16th, but the city's Department of Environmental Protection claims the infrastructure is working normally and the water is simply the result of snow melt from a nearby park. However, local business owners and the city councilwoman dispute this, noting the problem has persisted even during dry periods with no snow. The constant water has created dangerous icy conditions, especially for pedestrians and vehicles passing through the intersection.

  • The water main break was first reported on January 16, 2026.
  • The issue has been ongoing for over a month as of late February 2026.

The players

Karolina

A local resident who has observed the persistent water issue.

Michelle Lopez

The owner of Cook's Arts and Crafts Shoppe, a local business impacted by the water main break.

Joann Ariola

The city councilwoman representing the Glendale neighborhood, who has received numerous complaints about the issue.

New York City Department of Environmental Protection

The city agency responsible for maintaining water infrastructure, which claims the issue is due to snow melt and not a broken main.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, the water is here all the time. I guess people get used to it.”

— Karolina, Resident

“What about last week or two weeks ago when we had no snow? Then what was it?”

— Michelle Lopez, Owner, Cook's Arts and Crafts Shoppe

“This was complete ice during the subzero temperatures and you could see how heavily traversed it is with cars, with traffic, with pedestrians, and it's a very dangerous situation.”

— Joann Ariola, City Councilwoman

“It's frustrating because we feel like no one is answering us, and they're like, 'Oh yeah, it's not really important. It's just water.'”

— Michelle Lopez, Owner, Cook's Arts and Crafts Shoppe

What’s next

The city has said it will continue to monitor the area and recheck it on the next dry day, but residents are concerned the issue will only worsen as more snow and frigid weather is expected in the coming days.

The takeaway

This persistent water main break highlights the ongoing infrastructure challenges facing New York City, especially during the winter months. The city's delayed response and dismissive attitude towards resident concerns have eroded trust and raised questions about the prioritization of public safety over bureaucratic procedures.