Emergency service on NYC DEP Violations and DEP notifications. If you require a rapid and experienced response to any City issued violation for your sewer or water main service, we are there for you any time of any day. After-hours calls or weekend calls receive the same level of service at no additional charges. As a matter of fact site visits and estimates are given free of charge and at no obligation at all times.
We are known for our competency and experience operating underneath the streets and sidewalks of the NYC metro area. Get the service you need and desire, with the courtesy that you expect at the most reasonable of costs – Balkan utilizes a ‘uniform pricing policy’ which is you assurance of the best possible price at all times.
“Three Day Notice“
A NYC DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) Three day notice is generally a notice to repair a defective (leaking) water main service. Depending on the severity of the leak the department may opt at their discretion to extend the period of the notice, or take swifter action if an emergency condition is being created by the water main leak. Download an example DEP Three Day Notice PDF.
How accurate is the DEP when they issue a Three Day? 
The trained field forces of the NYC DEP are extremely accurate when assessing the source of a water line leak. The last audit on record has the NYC DEP with an accuracy rate of 98% - Needless to say anyone with an accuracy rate of 98% is doing a great job.
What to do if a violation was given in error: If at the request of the NYC DEP you hired a sewer or water main contractor and the leak or defect is not from your service line you have to act promptly. Because you hired the plumbing contractor in response to the DEP Notice you are obligated to pay the contractor for their expenses in determining the source of the leak or underground issue. The proper course of action to take is as follows:
- Ask a representative from the NYC DEP to come to the site and confirm the notice was issued in error.
- Reach an amicable agreement with the contractor for the expenses incurred.
- File claim forms with the Comptrollers Office. These forms are available on this sites Resources Page under ‘Additional Resources’.
- Make sure the claim is resolved within an appropriate time – The claims forms can now be filed on-line, but you must stay on top of things.
“Ten Day Notice”
This notice is generally issued after a water main service has been shut off due to a failure to respond to a previous notice or emergency condition. A Ten day notice will result in a $1,000.00 charge appearing on a future water bill – This charge is for the work the DEP performed to excavate in the roadway and close the tap connection. The actual cost the department incurs when they perform a shutdown including administrative costs is much greater than the $1,000.00 fee assessed to the property owner.
If the NYC DEP continues to receive no response from the property owner they can return to the site at a later date to permanently plug the water main service in question, but this very rarely happens.If a tap is permanently plugged a new wet connection will have to be ordered and installed to restore the water service. Download an example DEP Ten Day Notice PDF.
“DEP cease and desist order”
As they concern sub-surface plumbing, these notices generally involve defective house sewers that are creating roadway wash-outs, undermines, etc. Typically a dye test is performed or a video camera is placed down a house sewer to verify the cause of the problem. These situations can be of serious concern as roadway wash-outs can pose a danger to the general public.
If unattended to, the NYC DEP has in the past returned to the site and closed off the water supply to the offending property. That will prevent water from continuing to go down the house drain and worsening the condition. At that point the terms of a “Ten day notice” will apply in addition to having to correct the house sewer problem. Download an example DEP Cease and Desist Order PDF.
The Balkan difference
Our experience in dealing with any subsurface condition is unmatched in NYC. The Balkan team is there for you any time, any day, any Borough. Our dedication to customer service includes providing educational and informative information to our clients and all residents of NYC. As you look through this web site you will find virtually any information you may require regarding sewer repair or water line work. Balkan feels that the more you know the better we’ll look.
Check out our company-wide dedication to service today – Excellence is not by accident.
Contact a NYC DEP notifications and violations specialist via our 24/7 online form or call us at (718) 849-0900.
