The ISUB/TLC remains closed due to flooding in the basement caused by a failure in the backwashing water filtration system.
This type of water filtration system is a large tank-style that gets its name from using backwashing to clean itself. Backwashing is the process of reversing the water flow to enter through the bottom filter tank, raise the filter bed, and exit through the top of the filter tank.
The sump pumps for the filtration systems also failed to remove the excess water. This failure allowed for 18 inches of water to build in the basement, affecting one of the transformers in the building.
The ISUB/TLC remains closed due to the damaged transformer with a possibility of reopening Thursday. This damaged transformer led to power issues throughout the building. The main issue is that the outlets do not have any power to them. An exact date of reopening the building is still to be determined.
ISUB/TLC closure: UI TLC flooded with 18 inches of water, closed Friday and into weekend
Moscow Fire Department was dispatched around 9:45 a.m. Nov. 1 to the building after flooding triggered the emergency alarm system. There is no safety threat or other buildings on campus impacted, UI Director of Communications Jodi Walker said.
“Long term, we’ll need to replace the transformer,” Jodi Walker, UI director of communications, said. “There may be some parts of the building with power currently.”
However, it is not enough to enough to sustain the classes and offices in the building.
“Short term, we are looking at bringing in generators to provide power to key areas of the building,” Walker said.
If generators can be brought in, the ISUB/TLC could reopen all or some of the building as early as Thursday. This is a best-case scenario, with classes being returned to their rooms in the ISUB/TLC. However, if the generators cannot be brought in or fail to provide power to the necessary areas, the building could remain closed for the rest of the week, Walker said.
“Class relocations would remain the same for the rest of the week,” Walker said. She also said that if the building remains closed for longer than the week, the university would have to reassess the situation.
Walker also wants to remind students that they can get updates from the university ISUB updates page here. The page updates every 35 minutes, Walker said. This website also ensures students are getting information promptly, and that the information is in one, easy-to-locate spot.
Students who have any further questions that are not answered by information provided on the website are encouraged to reach out to their instructors or other faculty members.
There is currently no cost estimation for repairs.
UPDATE: As of Wednesday, the ISUB will remain closed through Sunday to assess the damages from the basement flooding.
According to an email sent out to students on Wednesday, there will be “limited classrooms” in the TLC. But as a precaution, the Registrar’s Office will be organizing a backup schedule of class relocations.
Events will be relocated or rescheduled in the ISUB through Thanksgiving, according to the email.
The Argonaut will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
Nicole Hindberg contributed to this report.
Rachele Catt can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @RACHELE_CATT