A break in the pipes which carry water to cool most campus buildings will complicate the seasonal process of switching from heating to cooling, says Susan Mark, executive director of Facility Services.

“We were in the process of filling our system with chilled water so that we could cool buildings as necessary by May 1, when a 40-year-old pipe broke under pressure,” she said. “Repairs are underway which will allow us to feed chilled water from the Central Refrigeration Plant at the river.”

Mark warns that cooling may be limited as the Central Refrigeration Plant will have to carry the entire load.

“However, it will be available and we are not at full cooling requirements yet as seasonal temperatures are somewhat below normal,” she says.

She expects the partial cooling system to be ready by the week of May 6, after which only the Centre for Engineering Innovation, Alumni Hall and the Music Building will remain without chilled water.

Work will continue after that to replace the broken pipe and restore full supply of chilled water during the week of May 20. Facility Services will alert the campus community in the event of any change to this schedule.

 “We fully understand this is an inconvenience to people on campus and appreciate their patience,” Mark says.