Spring Break
Update: officials say BISC water still contaminated
Lindsay Lorenz
Issue date: 10/29/08 Section: News
10/29/08 - As of yesterday, water at the University of Rhode Island Biological Science Center is still contaminated with fecal coliform, a type of E. coli, officials said.
It's been almost two weeks since water samples taken in BISC tested positive for the bacteria. J. Vernon Wyman, assistant vice president of Business Services, confirmed the contamination is isolated to BISC and that it is safe to drink campus water, except water from BISC.
With the exception of BISC, the university lifted the boil water advisory Monday after samples from around campus yielded three consecutive negative tests.
Testing in BISC will continue until the same results are achieved. "We will need to have clear samples consecutively," Wyman said.
He said yesterday the university continues to take samples throughout campus, but the only tests that yielded positive results were from the samples taken in BISC.
"What's consecutive is the fact that that was where it occurred," Wyman said. "We certainly want to follow health department guidelines making certain we've located the true source. We've been focusing on [BISC]."
On Friday, workers isolated BISC from the rest of the campus water supply by installing a valve that uses low pressure to prevent BISC's flow of back water from entering the system.
According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, URI replaced water taps and problem plumbing connections in the building.
The boil water advisory is still in effect for the building. Wyman said signs posted in the building detail how Health Department procedures should be followed.
In addition, Wyman said, to ensure the campus water supply remains uncontaminated, Facility Services injected chlorine into campus waterlines yesterday and intends to maintain a level of .2-.4 parts per million. The chlorination will be temporary, and is safe to drink.
Wyman said now that the boil water advisory has been lifted, Dining Services has begun contacting vendors to resume use of soda and ice machines. He said the process of resetting the equipment can take a couple of days. Within the next couple of days drink machines should be back to normal and Dining Services will stop providing bottled water and juice boxes to students.
It's been almost two weeks since water samples taken in BISC tested positive for the bacteria. J. Vernon Wyman, assistant vice president of Business Services, confirmed the contamination is isolated to BISC and that it is safe to drink campus water, except water from BISC.
With the exception of BISC, the university lifted the boil water advisory Monday after samples from around campus yielded three consecutive negative tests.
Testing in BISC will continue until the same results are achieved. "We will need to have clear samples consecutively," Wyman said.
He said yesterday the university continues to take samples throughout campus, but the only tests that yielded positive results were from the samples taken in BISC.
"What's consecutive is the fact that that was where it occurred," Wyman said. "We certainly want to follow health department guidelines making certain we've located the true source. We've been focusing on [BISC]."
On Friday, workers isolated BISC from the rest of the campus water supply by installing a valve that uses low pressure to prevent BISC's flow of back water from entering the system.
According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, URI replaced water taps and problem plumbing connections in the building.
The boil water advisory is still in effect for the building. Wyman said signs posted in the building detail how Health Department procedures should be followed.
In addition, Wyman said, to ensure the campus water supply remains uncontaminated, Facility Services injected chlorine into campus waterlines yesterday and intends to maintain a level of .2-.4 parts per million. The chlorination will be temporary, and is safe to drink.
Wyman said now that the boil water advisory has been lifted, Dining Services has begun contacting vendors to resume use of soda and ice machines. He said the process of resetting the equipment can take a couple of days. Within the next couple of days drink machines should be back to normal and Dining Services will stop providing bottled water and juice boxes to students.
