Thursday, October 1, 2026
Another day another water main break in Oceanside, this time on Waukena Avenue, in the vicinity of Neptune Avenue. The break happened before 11 p.m. on July 27, and it still had not been repaired the next afternoon.
An official for New York American Water said the break was reported just before midnight and crews arrived around 1 a.m.
The water company official said repair crews found a gas line was in the way of the water main and had to wait until the gas company dealt with the gas line. The official said the gas crew showed up at 7 a.m. the morning of July 28, and began working on the gas main.
The break happened right in front of the Wald house on Waukena Ave. Sheldon Wald said it was the electric company that had to come and shut off power. After the power was shut, he said, the water main repairs began. Water service was restored to local customers about 1:30 July 28, almost 15 hours after the break, while crews continued to repair the street.
The water company official said the water main was an eight-inch pipe, made of cast iron, and put into service in 1925.
There have been at least six water main breaks in Oceanside in June and July this year. When asked if this was an excessive amount she said American Water usually meets in August to go over reports of breaks and the state of the water system. Then they decide what areas need to be replaced.
Two good Samaritans who noticed the water coming up the Wald’s driveway woke them up around 11 p.m. and asked if they needed help. They allowed the two strangers to move their cars, no questions asked. The two young men complied, and returned the keys, then went on their way. Sheldon Wald was most appreciative of their help.
“The water was just gushing,” Wald said. “We were lucky it stopped just short of the garage door.”
The water company had temporarily fixed the break, and will have to come back to complete the job.
This is the second time there has been a water main break in front of the Wald house. He said the repairmen from the water company told him they will have to replace all of Waukena Avenue.
Nassau County Legislator Denise Ford said in some cases homeowners who suffered damage from water main breaks may be reimbursed by the county. Contact her office at 516 -571-6204.
