Water Main Break Parches Far Rockaway Hospital, Residents

FAR ROCKAWAY, QUEENS — A water main break Tuesday in Far Rockaway forced staff at St. John's Episcopal Hospital to transfer some of its patients elsewhere, as homes and businesses experienced low water pressure or no water at all for hours.

It's unclear what caused the water main break, the city's Department of Environmental Protection told elected officials who represent the Rockaway peninsula.

Workers had restored water service as of 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Department of Environmental Protection said on Twitter.

Agency spokesperson Ted Timbers confirmed that crews were investigating a water leak at Beach 19th Street and Seagirt Boulevard but did not respond to Patch's emailed list of questions about the incident.

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St. John's Episcopal Hospital started experiencing low water pressure about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday and had to reschedule surgeries and other medical services, spokesperson Renee Hastick-Motes told Patch. Some employees, such as administrative staffers, were sent home.

Patients who have urgent issues that the hospital can't address during the water issue are being transferred to other hospitals, she added.

"Without water you can't use the laboratory," she said. "So, it is a bit of disruption."

Workers excavated Seagirt Boulevard between Beach 17th and 19th Streets to repair the break, affecting water service along that stretch, according to Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato.

Due to a water condition, expect emergency personnel & traffic delays in the area of Beach 19 Street and Seagirt Boulevard in Rockaway Queens. Multilingual and ASL Link: https://t.co/1AMbHyhIEU.
— NYCEM - Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) December 10, 2019

Anyone experiencing issues with their water supply should call 311 to file a report.