Water main break closes Southeast until Tuesday

Less than a week into the new year at Southeast Missouri State University, both of its campuses were shut down by a water main break Wednesday. The event prompted cancellation of classes and office closures on the main and River campuses until Tuesday.

Southeast's regional campuses and Cape Girardeau Partnership for Higher Education at the Career and Technology Center are not affected, vice president for finance and administration Kathy Mangels said.

Students living in residence halls are encouraged to return to campus Monday, and offices will open and classes will resume at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Mangels said the water main comes into campus underground in an area next to the boiler plant and connects to other mains around the university.

City public information manager Nicolette Brennan said the main break occurred overnight Tuesday. The main was installed in 1949, and a variety of factors could have caused the break. The university said a cast-iron pipe cracked.

Brennan said in an email a section of pipe caved in a few feet underground and has been replaced. Additional testing will begin soon, and normal operations are expected by this evening.

The break has caused low water pressure and caused restrooms and air-conditioning to stop working, Mangels said. Residence halls will remain open.

With the campus and offices closed, water pressure can be saved to serve residence halls.

Based on estimates Wednesday afternoon, it will require 24 to 48 hours to get a temporary connection.

Mangels said the university determined it was prudent to cancel classes and close offices for the rest of the week.

"Obviously, it's one of those unforeseen events," Mangels said.

The Southeast Missouri State University School for Young Children also will be closed today and Friday. The school will reopen as scheduled Tuesday.

The most recent main campus closures occurred during wintry weather in February and a power outage a couple of years ago.

Facilities that remain unaffected are the Student Recreation Center, Student Aquatic Center and Show Me Center. Food service will be available to students at Towers cafeteria, Rowdy's and at the River Campus.

Mangels said shuttle service will continue to run on campus and the Department of Public Safety and Facilities Management staff will continue working.

The 8:30 a.m. university board of regents closed session and the 6 p.m. Redhawks football game will go on as scheduled today, as will Friday's 6:30 p.m. soccer game, officials said.

In the area near the boiler plant, city crews and contractors were working to make temporary fixes to the problem Wednesday, Mangels said.

Brennan said the break was localized in the university area, but a few area residents might experience low water pressure.

A news release from the city said the water is safe to drink.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

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