NYC tenants at Haven Plaza protest prolonged water shutdown after Legionella detection
Residents of the Haven Plaza complex on Avenue C held a rally demanding faster remediation after Legionella bacteria were found in the building's water system, while city officials faced criticism for their response.
Tenants of Haven Plaza, a 371-unit apartment complex on Avenue C in Alphabet City, gathered Thursday to call for urgent action after Legionella bacteria were detected in the building’s water supply. Two residents have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, and officials have advised occupants to avoid showering and to use alternative water sources.
The tenants’ association, led by president Dana Cruz, said management companies Catholic Home of New York and Wavecrest Management have not provided mobile showers, rent relief, or a clear remediation timeline. “There is no sense of urgency to actually resolve this problem,” Cruz said, adding that residents have received mixed instructions such as bathing with hoses or boiling water before use.
Local elected officials, including Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and City Councilmember Harvey Epstein, joined the protest, urging the mayor’s office to address the situation promptly. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, “No New Yorkers should be uncertain of the safety of their tap water.”
A remediation plan obtained by a resident indicates that plumbing work began this week, involving periodic water shut-offs and a 30-day treatment period approved by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Catholic Homes and Wavecrest released a statement confirming the plan and advising residents to follow health department guidelines.
The incident coincides with a separate Legionella outbreak on the Upper East Side that has resulted in multiple fatalities, prompting city officials to consider legislation requiring proactive testing and disinfection of cooling towers.
City Hall and health department representatives did not respond to requests for comment.