TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – A broken water pipe in the basement of a row of townhouses on the Marist campus burst on Tuesday morning. The high-pressure leak filled the basements of the Foy Townhouses with more than five feet of water. The early morning rupture required the electricity to the buildings to be disconnected as the water rose toward the electric panels.
The Fairview Fire Department responded and attempted to pump the water out of the basements but firefighters were hindered by the inability to terminate the water supply feeding the buildings. Marist College employees were observed using torches and a jackhammer to uncover the water shutoff valve that had apparently been buried under asphalt in front of the building. In most instances, valve access covers are not covered with blacktop. If a road is prepared for resurfacing, common practice includes the installation of a riser that keeps the valve cover at the same height as the pavement.
Roosevelt Fire Chief Jeff Scala responded to the scene with a utility truck equipped with a high-powered pump from his department. The smaller utility vehicle was placed close to the building and a hose was extended to the basement to remove the water faster than it was flowing in.
The firefighters were able to get the basements emptied a few hours later and cleared the call around noontime.
Marist officials were appreciative of the work performed by the first responders. “We are grateful for the swift response of the Fairview and Roosevelt Fire Departments and the other first responders who assisted us to help minimize any interruption in services to our campus community,” said Marist College Director of Media Relations Anthony Proia.
