Water main repairs near Wharton Center

UPDATE Monday, May 4: Work to repair the broken water line has started. Reduced water pressure will be experienced during this repair. Please utilize the temporary external restrooms (see below) or utilize the restroom in an alternative building until work is completed. Repair will continue until completed. 

Map showing restroom trailer located on the west side of Wharton, closest to the FRIB. The ADA accessible restrooms on the west side of Wharton, closed to Wharton. The water main leak is shown along the sidewalk between FRIB and Wharton closest to Wilson Road. 

UPDATED Sunday, May 3: Water lines have are holding and will continue to be monitored.

UPDATE Saturday, May 2: Water lines have are holding and will continue to be monitored.

Friday, May 1: A water main below the sidewalk level is leaking water supplied by the MSU water plant and causing water buildup on the grass and sidewalk.

Repair crews are assessing the situation.

Barriers are in place to prevent people from walking through the water. 

Image below shows the water over the sidewalk and the barricades alerting pedestrians. 

Commencement will remain at Wharton Center. 

IF the leak gets worse, one of two things will need to happen; 

1. Reduce the water pressure and capacity which will cause some of the restrooms at Wharton Center to close. 
2. Drastically reduce the water pressure and capacity which will necessitate closing all the restrooms at Wharton Center. Temporary external restrooms will be available including ADA accessible restrooms located on the northwest side of Wharton Center. These facilities have already been sourced and are on site should they need to be activated. 

In either situation, signs will be posted helping direct traffic to available restrooms. The location for the temporary external restrooms was selected to assist with ADA accessibility, remain close to the building, and ideally out of the way of commencement photo locations. 

Wharton Center staff and IPF are prepared to handle this situation and are planning for worst case scenarios. This is an unexpected event, which we can get through together.