A sewer line at a Staten Island lakeside restaurant has reportedly leaked human waste into Clove Lake for decades, and fishing was only just banned

Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella is calling for an urgent summit of city and state agencies following the discovery that a collapsed sewer line at a lakeside restaurant has been leaking human waste into Clove Lake for decades. This environmental issue has finally triggered a ban on boating and fishing at the park, though the closure only occurred one week after the situation was reported.

As reported by the NY Post, Fossella expressed his frustration with what he describes as a double standard regarding how the city treats its parks. He suggested that if this level of pollution were discovered in a more prominent location, the response would be significantly different. 

“If this were Central Park, people would be flipping out,” Fossella said during a recent tour of the park. He highlighted his disappointment that city agencies continue to withhold information regarding the full scope of the contamination, leaving him and the public in the dark.

These sewage problems have reportedly existed for 50 years 

The history of these plumbing issues appears to be quite long. One local parkgoer, 71-year-old trucker Tad, claimed that he has heard reports of sewage problems at the site of The Stone House restaurant dating back 50 years. He recalled stories from a friend who worked at the location, stating, “The basement always had sewage. I had a friend who worked there, he’d have to take his shoes off when he got home.”

The situation remains fluid as investigators try to determine if the damage extends beyond the initial leak. Employees from the Parks Department conducted dye tests on various buildings throughout the park to check for additional malfunctioning sewer lines. 

During this process, the public bathrooms were kept locked. When a worker was asked if any other collapsed lines had been identified during these tests, the employee replied, “I plead the Fifth.” The Parks Department stated that they are currently unaware of any other leaks affecting Clove Lake and are coordinating with the Department of Environmental Protection to determine the necessary next steps. 

Despite these assurances, the lack of transparency regarding fecal coliform contamination data has drawn sharp criticism from local officials and residents alike. Fossella emphasized that the community is being denied a safe and healthy recreation area, noting that he spent his own childhood playing baseball in the park. 

“What’s very unsettling and troubling is that it appears that this has been sort of going on for quite some time. We need to know who knew what and when,” he said. The response from the local community has been one of significant concern. Residents who frequent the area have voiced their frustration over the loss of access to the water and the potential long-term health implications. 

Retired nurse Donna DeWaters, 71, shared her disappointment, saying, “I’m upset about it, really. Because it was beautiful. I took my kids here, and they were little.” Another visitor, 25-year-old radiologist Sydney Russel, argued that the city must hold someone accountable for the oversight. “There should be repercussions up and down the line,” she said.