BULLS HEAD, Staten Island (WABC) — There are just a few methods to explain the mysterious foul odor seeping into some Staten Island properties, however no good methods to masks it. Between scented candles, air purifiers – even sealing off doorways, nothing appears to stop homes in a Bulls Head neighborhood from smelling like a sewer.
“As a result of the scent was burning our eyes, making us nauseous, giving us complications – that is why we needed to evacuate as much as 5 instances already,” stated Deborah Phelps-Seda.
Phelps-Seda and her neighbors say they first seen the stink in early December. Work was underway on Merrill Avenue to service fuel infrastructure. A fuel leak was dominated out.
“They have been opening up the street and it smelled actually dangerous, so I had went on the market and requested them in regards to the state of affairs and the scent was coming into my home and so they advised me it was the sewer,” she says.
Virtually three months later, after crews with town’s Division of Environmental Safety inspected and cleaned the swears – the odor remains to be oppressive.
“Me and Deb by no means talked a lot in our complete lives. I imply, as a result of we’re struggling. Our youngsters are struggling – we have needed to depart,” stated Amity Nigro.
The DEP tells Eyewitness Information that sewer infrastructure is working as supposed, happening to say,
“We have now additionally put in filtration units in close by sewer manholes to assist cut back odors. DEP is at the moment monitoring the state of affairs by means of wastewater and air sampling, and our investigation into the trigger stays ongoing.”
Native Councilman David Carr has heard residents’ complaints. As an alternative of ready for DEP to determine what’s inflicting the scent, he says he’s now involving town’s Well being Division to determine what doubtlessly the scent may very well be doing to individuals.
“I feel it wants a recent set of eyes and in addition lots of residents are complaining of heal signs which can be actually troubling to listen to,” Carr stated.
It’s actually troubling for Deborah who’s a mother of two and wish to breathe a sigh of aid.
“All you wish to do is shield them and you are feeling helpless,” she says.
———
* Extra Staten Island information
* Ship us a information tip
* Obtain the abc7NY app for breaking information alerts
* Comply with us on YouTube
Submit a tip or story concept to Eyewitness Information
Have a breaking information tip or an concept for a narrative we should always cowl? Ship it to Eyewitness Information utilizing the shape under. If attaching a video or picture, phrases of use apply.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
