Tenants frustrated as water goes out during repairs at Ravenswood NYCHA building in Astoria, Queens

ASTORIA, Queens (WABC) — Tenants at a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) complex were unhappy when their water was shut off for repairs during a long, hot day.

Monday’s rain added to the frustration of residents at Ravenswood Houses, with indoor pipes drying up.

Shirley Harrison’s toilet required pouring water to flush, and showering was not an option.

“I almost fell over while carrying water. I was just upset about the whole situation,” said Harrison, a tenant at the New York City Housing Authority building.

Eyewitness News reporter Lucy Yang learned that the water stopped around 10 a.m. Monday. For many of the tenants at Tower One Astoria, this was a very unpleasant surprise.

For many people, pooping is not an option. Many are elderly or disabled. Krisandra Hill is seven months pregnant.

“It’s crazy. You can’t drink anything, you can’t cook, you can’t use the bathroom, you can’t flush the toilet,” Hill said.

Sylvia Rivera cares for her elderly mother, who cannot run all the way to a fire hydrant equipped with four faucets. So she double-bagged the basket, put it in her shopping cart, and essentially designed a makeshift portable water tank.

Rivera said it was very disturbing.

New York City Housing sent plumbers to work on the boiler Monday, which had to be shut down. Thankfully, by nightfall the cold water was restored, but the hot water took longer.

Notice should be posted 72 hours in advance. Whether it was removed or never posted, residents complained they didn’t know why the taps were dry or how long the drought would last.

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