According to UWaterloo’s safety alert system, the DWE building will remain closed until Oct. 4 following wastewater pipe damage that caused a sewage backup and surface discharge near the UW campus. Activities scheduled in DWE will be adjusted as needed, and details will be shared directly with affected students and employees.

The City of Waterloo shared with Imprint that the incident was caused by a private contractor working at a UW construction site near University Avenue East and the Laurel Trail. According to the city, the contractor accidentally drilled into and blocked one of the city’s wastewater pipes during construction, damaging the pipe and resulting in a surface discharge of wastewater on Thursday.

“The problem has been mitigated, and  no further damage is happening,” read a statement from a spokesperson of the City of Waterloo. The statement added that the impacted wastewater pipe has since been rerouted as surface cleanup continues.

City officials have also notified the Spills Action Centre and the Region of Waterloo Environmental and Laboratory Services. City staff are currently working with the building contractor on mitigation and cleanup efforts. The contractor has confirmed that repair work will begin Monday, Sept. 28. The affected area will continue to be monitored and maintained throughout the weekend.

The city mentioned that it does not know how long UW buildings will remain closed, as that decision is up to the university.

In a statement to Imprint, the uUniversity added that cleanup and assessment work are continuing in DWE. Specialized crews are cleaning affected areas, while the University is inspecting building systems and completing health, safety and operational checks before the building can be reoccupied.

DWE will remain closed through Sunday, Oct. 4. Classes, labs and other activities scheduled in the building are being relocated, rescheduled or delivered through alternate arrangements, as appropriate. The University said it is working with faculties, the Registrar’s Office and research units to support academic and research continuity while the building remains unavailable.

The university said the full extent of the impact, including the financial impact, is still being assessed and that its focus remains on cleanup, remediation and the work required to safely return the building to service.

The university will continue to provide updates to the campus community as more information becomes available.

*Last updated 3:48 p.m. on Oct. 2.