According to a recent published report, records on inspections done on water tanks on roofs of NYCHA buildings disappeared.
Many of the wooden tanks, which contained drinking water, were contaminated with dead animals, insects and other floating debris.
By law, NYCHA must document and report the condition of its water tanks to the health department.
Some inspections were even whited-out with reports about unsanitary conditions.
The trend in water tanks is so disturbing that those in the water industry say it is common to find unsanitary conditions in public housing water tanks.
The city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said in a statement that it’s working with NYCHA to improve inspection requirements.
“They always claim to be cleaning the water in that tower,” one resident said in an interview “But they don’t seem to do a very good job.” “While our water tank cleaning and inspections are reliable, we will review the filing of our inspection forms to ensure they reflect this effort accurately,” a NYCHA representative said in a statement.
“The reports on contamination in NYCHA water tanks are appalling,” said Johnson.
Late last month, thousands of residents in Brevoort Houses had to hull water with buckets from a station after they were left without regular running water for 10 days in 900 apartments.
NYCHA workers were reported cleaning a water tank when the water couldn’t be turned back on.