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Institutional Communications

Bureau of Mines Building, Room 137

Laramie

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-2929

Email: cbaldwin@uwyo.edu

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UW Works to Assess and Repair Damage After Water Line Breaks

January 2, 2015

University of Wyoming crews and a UW contractor are working to assess and repair damage following a spate of water line breaks over the winter holiday.

Line breaks have prompted the temporary closure of the UW Student Health Service and some disruption in Coe Library, but the library remains operational, and no other functions of the university have been interrupted. Also affected were the Washakie Dining Center, the History Building, the State Veterinary Laboratory, the Indoor Practice Facility and the Visual Arts Building.

It appears that frozen pipes due to subzero weather caused most of the breaks, although the factors that led to the pipes’ exposure to cold temperatures vary.

No cost estimates of damages are yet available, but they include saturated ceiling panels, carpet, sheetrock and insulation; wet books; and some damaged electronic and scientific equipment. Crews from UW and Belfor Inc., a property restoration company, are engaged in cleanup and repair.

The Student Health Service is temporarily closed for patient care while the water line is fixed and cleanup takes place. Those needing assistance should call 766-2130.

Coe Library, meanwhile, has reopened after the winter break, in spite of three water line breaks -- one on the sixth floor and two on the main floor. Portions of the collection are scattered in the library and at the American Heritage Center, and library officials ask visitors to avoid areas where restoration is taking place and fans are in use. Workers at the circulation desk are available to assist in locating materials.

“We appreciate the significant efforts made by the Laramie Fire Department, UW employees and others to respond to these unfortunate line breaks,” Vice President for Administration Bill Mai says. “In addition to making sure cleanup and repairs take place in a timely manner, the university will assess each situation to determine exactly what happened and why.”

Contact Us

Institutional Communications

Bureau of Mines Building, Room 137

Laramie

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-2929

Email: cbaldwin@uwyo.edu

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