Wesley Heights water leak not resolved after two years; DC Water silent

A water leak on New Mexico Ave NW has festered for nearly two years, untouched by DC Water, and residents are frustrated and calling for action as colder months approach.

Residents of the Wesley Heights neighborhood say that, beginning in February 2024, there has been a persistent water leak just outside the entrance to Sutton Towers, a condominium complex not far from the American University campus.

According to building managers at Sutton Towers, located at 3101 New Mexico Ave NW, residents reported the issue to DC Water and DC Water confirmed that the leak was within their jurisdiction. Even with the confirmation, DC Water has not fixed the leak, the managers said.

The water leak is along the sidewalk on New Mexico Ave, part of a large mud pile with water then pouring onto the street. The leak is located between two crosswalks across the avenue.

With colder months approaching, residents voiced their concerns at a September Advisory Neighborhood Committee 3B meeting. The meeting minutes said that Commissioner Rob Rodriguez has reached out to a project manager and tried to get timeline on fixing the leak, but that has not been resolved.

Sutton Towers Building Manager Angela Apel said the leak is dangerous and causes many issues during the cold months. The water freezes and causes trucks to drive on the sidewalk to avoid the ice, which not only is dangerous for drivers but also pedestrians walking on the sidewalk, Apel said.

Apel said that the trucks have destroyed the sidewalk, but that damage was repaired, unlike the water leak.

Jeanette Stavely, Sutton Towers assistant building manager, said that many families and people walk on this sidewalk, including children walking to school. The leak causes icy and muddy conditions that are dangerous to those who are walking on the sidewalk, Stavely said.

“The Sutton Towers management would love to see this leak investigated and repaired by DC Water to ensure the safety of our residents and those in the neighborhood,” Stavely said.

Stavely said residents have reached out to both DC Water and the District government to report the water leak in hopes of it being resolved.

Matthew Frumin, the councilmember for Ward 3 which includes Wesley Heights, did not respond to a request for comment.

Apel said on several occasions DC Water has alerted the complex that the water would be shut off. Apel said they would ask if DC Water would fix the leak, but  were told it was unrelated. DC Water then said they would return but would not follow through, according to Apel.

DC Water did not return requests for comment.

Julia Khoury, who frequently walks her dog Lucy on this sidewalk, said the leak is unpleasant. Khoury said the leak is worrisome as the colder months approach due to ice possibly forming.

Khoury said the ice will cause problems for the people who walk to school.

“I feel like a lot of D.C.’s infrastructure is lacking these days,” she said.

Khoury said that she hopes for the issue to be resolved but does not have high hopes.