‘Rain or shine, it’s nonstop’: Mystery water leak plagues Summit couple

Gerard and Penelope Garcia say that water has been running into the basement of their Summit home for years and that the leak has gotten worse over the last few months.

News 12 Staff

Mar 21, 2019, 10:04 PM

Updated 1,954 days ago

Share:

‘Rain or shine, it’s nonstop’: Mystery water leak plagues Summit couple
A mystery water leak has a Union County couple at their wit's end.
Gerard and Penelope Garcia say that water has been running into the basement of their Summit home for years and that the leak has gotten worse over the last few months.
“24/7, rain or shine. Doesn’t make any difference. It’s nonstop,” says Gerard.
The Garcias say that no one, not American Water or the city of Summit or private experts have been able to figure out where the water is coming from or how to stop it. Two sump pumps are constantly pumping water out of the basement and out on to the street.
"We just have been pleading - literally using that word – ‘Somebody, find the source of this water and try to stop it,’” Penelope says.
The Garcias bought the home a few years ago as a retirement home. They say that the previous owners had installed a sump pump and that they added a second one. They say that the running water has gotten worse since the fall.
“Come November, it started at the rate it's at right now,” says Penelope.
The Garcias say that 2.5 gallons of water come out of the home every minute. They say that they are fearful that the sump pumps will fail and that the water will flood their home.
“We’re retired. This is our savings, our investment,” says Penelope. “We want the water stopped. It’s not coming from our property. We don't know where it's coming from."
American Water representatives tell News 12 New Jersey that they have determined through testing that the water is not coming from their pipes, so they say that there isn't anything they can do.
The mayor of Summit says the town is doing more inspections, with the goal of getting information to find a solution or some answers about what to do next.


More from News 12
2:16
Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

2:11
Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

1:54
Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

0:46
New Jersey to receive more than $72M to help coastal communities prevent flooding

New Jersey to receive more than $72M to help coastal communities prevent flooding

1:43
Officials: Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

Officials: Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

0:44
Jersey Proud: Goya Gives Day collects 100,000 pounds of food donations

Jersey Proud: Goya Gives Day collects 100,000 pounds of food donations

1:01
‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

0:29
Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

0:55
EPA completes Phase 1 of Superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

EPA completes Phase 1 of Superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

0:20
West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

0:30
Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

0:15
East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

0:30
No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

1:04
Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

0:15
Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

0:23
2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

0:18
$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

1:59
Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

1:17
Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program