The Amelia T. Wood Health Center will reopen at 8 a.m. today after closing early Friday because of a water main break.
The water main break also cut off water service to Studebaker East and Studebaker West complexes. Running water was restored to the three buildings at about 3:30 p.m. Friday.
Jim Lowe, director of engineering and operations, received a call at about 11 a.m. informing him that an inground water main at the North Hall construction site had been punctured.
Sater Electric, one company Ball State University contracted in the North Hall construction project, was working to install steam piping in the area, he said.
"In the area they were digging, they were looking for a steam line and they hit the water line first," Lowe said.
At about 3:30 p.m. the line was repaired and water was restored, he said.
The water pipe was allowed to leak for almost two hours, and during this time, the water pushes out and doesn't allow impurities into the pipe, Lowe said.
But once the water is turned off, the water becomes contaminated. After the water pressure is re-established, the water can't be consumed for about 24 hours.
Health Center Director Kent Bullis said the Health Center closed at about 1:30 p.m., which is about three hours early. Friday afternoons are normally a slow time for the Health Center, so about 50 people might have been assisted in that time, Bullis said.
Bullis decided to close the center after a State Board of Health regulation was brought to his attention.
"We were planning to continue to function and just let the students know that we didn't have running toilets," Bullis said.
But when he called the State Board of Health, he was informed that if a facility didn't offer running water, its employees were not allowed to practice medicine.
The Health Center kept a small staff to talk to anyone who hadn't heard of the closing.
Bullis said very few students came and he counseled each one on what they should do. He referred a few students to urgent care clinics, he said.
Layne Cameron, associate director of University Communications, said at about 3:15 p.m., residents of Studebaker East and West received an e-mail informing them they must boil the water until noon Saturday. Signs were also put up around the halls to make sure students were aware of the problem, he said.
TimelineThe following occurred Friday:
- 11 a.m. - Facilities office informed of pipe leak
- 11:45 a.m. - Health Center alerted of problem
- 1:30 p.m. - Health Center closes for the day
- 3:15 p.m. - Studebaker East and West students informed they couldn't drink water without boiling it first
- 3:30 p.m. - Water service restored to Health Center, Studebaker East and Studebaker West
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
