Update on power plant repairs following Wednesday's boiler explosion

April 18, 2008

Reopening Esker Dining Hall and returning steam service and hot water to campus are the top priorities for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater administration. Every effort is being made to restore these services quickly while ensuring the safety of staff and the campus community.

"We certainly understand that this has been a very difficult time for the campus community," Interim Chancellor Richard Telfers said. "I want to thank everyone who has been so patient as we have tried to restore services as quickly and safely as possible. I want to thank those staff members who have worked many long hours trying to solve this problem. We have a few more challenging days ahead; I again ask you to be patient."

Officials from UW-Whitewater, staff from a variety of state and federal agencies, along with private contractors inspected the campus' power plant following Wednesday's boiler explosion.

 The building itself is sound.  However, the blast did damage a main valve for the overall steam system. Complicating matters is the fact that asbestos was released into the power plant and surrounding area when the explosion occurred. In order to repair the valve, specially trained workers will need to work high above ground wearing HAZMAT suits. For the immediate future, a bypass pipe will be installed that will allow steam and hot water to be restored to campus. It is expected that steam and hot water will be returned to campus on Thursday, April 24, at the earliest. This is only an estimated date and could be delayed by additional complications at the work site. Permanent repairs to the steam system will take considerably longer. But those repairs should not disrupt steam and hot water once the bypass line is installed.
 
We hope to reopen Esker Dining Hall Monday, April 21, at the earliest.  After the blast, the air quality in Esker was tested and was found to be clean. However, the dining hall has been closed because asbestos was found near the building's intake vents. Clean up of that asbestos will continue through the weekend. Once that work is complete then filters in the air system will be replaced and additional air quality tests will be taken before anyone is allowed back in the building.
Until Esker re-opens, extended hours of service are available at Drumlin Dining Hall and the James R. Connor University Center.

Residence hall staff has been monitoring the temperature in the halls. Because of the relatively warm weather, the temperatures on Friday morning ranged from the upper-60s to mid-70s depending on the location of the room. We will continue to monitor temperatures in the residence halls.

Hot showers for students who live in the residence halls will be available at the Athletic Services Building beginning today, Friday, April 18.
The Athletic Services Building is located at the south end of Perkins Stadium.

 Signs will indicate the location of the showers. The stadium locker room will be available for men and the softball/visitors locker room will be available for women.
 
Showers will be available at these times only:
Friday: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Additional hours for next week will be announced at a later date.

University staff will available at the Athletic Services Building. Students are asked to take quick showers to conserve hot water for others.

Additional updates on the cleanup efforts and the return of steam service will be made available on the UW-Whitewater Web site at www.uww.edu.