Hot water to be back to all residence halls by 9 p.m. Tuesday
Released: April 22, 2008
Hot water and steam will be restored to all University of Wisconsin-Whitewater residence halls by 9 p.m. Tuesday. By 4 p.m. Tuesday hot water was back at the eastside residence halls that include Knilans, Wells East and West, Wellers and Tutt.
ot water and steam will be restored to all academic buildings and the James R. Connor University Center by noon Wednesday.
“We are pleased that our Facilities Planning and Management workers and a variety of contractors were able to return hot water and steam to the campus sooner than they had originally anticipated. This has certainly been an inconvenience for our students, but in typical Warhawk fashion our students rose to the occasion with little complaint. I thank them,” Interim Chancellor Richard Telfer said.
Hot water and steam were restored through a temporary steam system. Repairs to the power plant will take a significant amount of time. But services to campus should not be disrupted during those repairs. The campus was without hot water or steam since a backup boiler exploded during routine maintenance on Wednesday, April 16. One worker received minor injuries in the incident.
In response to the lack of hot water and to put the situation in perspective, a number of student groups including Whitewater Student Government, Residence Hall Association and Student Entertainment Awareness League will collect money to donate to the Rotary India Water Trust that is developing a sustainable water supply for about 1 million people in 650 villages. Each well costs $300. The students hope to raise enough money to help fund 10 wells. The money will be donated through the Whitewater/Delavan Darien Rotary Clubs.
The student organizations are putting up posters that read, “Think not having a hot shower is bad" Try not having clean drinking water.”
“I feel that this is an important cause because we are so fortunate to have clean water, unlike many people around the globe,” said WSG president-elect Alison Rygh. “I feel that we should create some good out of our unfortunate situation, like funding wells for people in India. It is hard to imagine not having access to water, let alone clean water so I think that we should do something to improve the quality of life for others.”
Donations will be accepted at the residence hall desks and at Leadership Development and Career Service in the University center.
- Sara Kuhl,kuhls@uww.edu
