Sewer work making for wet summer on Ludlow Street

Standing water has plagued the area
during project
By CAROLYN O’CONNELL
Staff Writer

CHRIS KELLY The property at 167 Ludlow St. in Long Branch is in the direct path of a sewer project and has been under water for weeks. A neighbor (inset) is making the best of the situation by using a pump to water his flowers and grass.

Everyone in Long Branch is suffering through the sewer repair project, but for residents of Ludlow Street, it has gone beyond traffic problems.

For more than two weeks, water has been flowing steadily along the street, inching its way up over the sidewalks and onto private properties. At some points, the water reaches a depth of 5 to 6 inches.

To make the situation worse, the water that runs down the east side of Ludlow has no exit point except to flood the adjoining streets, Pacific and Spruce, because of the lack of storm drains in the area.

The problem has become a particular nightmare for Robert and Geneva Grogan, who live at 199 Ludlow St. at the corner of that street and Spruce Street.

"They (contractors) have been pumping water for weeks. It floods into our driveway causing a real mess," said Robert Grogan.

He added, "Pacific Street is completely flooded from side to side."

Geneva Grogan said she has become concerned because the standing water could create a health problem. "We have seen an increase in mosquitoes since the project started," she said.

The problem of running water will not be going away any time soon.

According to Joseph Martone, director of the sewerage authority, the contractors will be moving the work toward Broadway in the coming weeks. Without looking at a schedule, Martone noted that water will be traveling down Ludlow Street from Seventh Avenue for approximately another week.

The water is originating from a high water table, which was penetrated when the contractor made the deepest cut of the project into the ground in an effort to lay a main sewer line, said Martone.

The contractors, Metra Industries Inc., of Little Falls, need to lower the water table in order to create a stable environment to place a main sewer line.

As the project moves toward Broadway, said Martone, the contractor will continue to hit groundwater and will need to pump it out onto the street.

Martone said he does expect that the pumping of the water and the insertion of the lines should be complete from Seventh Avenue to Long Branch Avenue before school starts in September.

Next door to the Grogans, at 197 Ludlow, water has been pooling because the sidewalk dips to its lowest point. But that homeowner came up with the novel idea of placing a pump into the water, which is attached to a sprinkler to water the grass and garden.

Another home, just down the street at 167 Ludlow, has been literally under water. The pathway leading to the front porch steps is partially underwater. The remainder of the area is buried in thick, wet mud, leaves and gravel. The lawn that once existed is now a foot under water.

"We do appreciate the work on behalf of the sewer authority," said Geneva Grogan, "but do they need to make such a mess? This has been going on non-stop."

Martone said there was a way around this situation, but it would have closed the road and made it almost impossible for emergency vehicles to get through. In addition, the alternate plan would have cost a lot more.

According to Martone the alternate plan would have called for the use of well points, which are pipes with screens at one end pushed down into the road every 8 to 10 feet on either side of the trench. The pipes would then be connected to a common manifold, which would ultimately end up at a pump which would move water out onto another area away from homes.

With the plan that is implemented noted Martone, the road can remain open allowing residents to gain access.