Boil water order remains in effect; updated info for campus members
Updated Monday, May 3, at 9 a.m.
At this point, the water main break in Weston, Mass., has been repaired; however, the boil water order remains in effect until testing on the water is complete. State officials expect testing to be completed, and the order to be lifted, within the next 48 hours. The university will notify students, faculty and staff when that happens. Until that time, Brandeis community members should continue to follow the directions below.
Also, instant coffee is now available in the POD and Sherman Dining Hall.
Updated Sunday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m.
Brandeis University will be open on Monday and operating on a regular schedule. The boil water order that is affecting a large number of cities and towns in Massachusetts, including Waltham, remains in effect, and university officials have implemented plans to provide safe drinking water to the entire university community. Until the order is lifted, continue to use boiled or bottled water for all drinking, cooking and teeth brushing. Bring water to a rolling boil for one minute, then allow to cool. For those who do not have the capability to boil tap water, safe drinking water is available in the following campus locations:
- Usdan Dining during regular operational hours
- The POD Store in Usdan
- Sherman Dining during regular operational hours
- Cups will be available, but the university encourages campus members to try and use their own water bottle container-- but make sure you do not rinse your water bottle with tap water
- After 9 p.m., water will also be available in the East, North, Massell and Ridgewood Quad offices (Ziv residents can get water in Ridgewood).
Boiled and bottled water supplies are limited. Therefore, Brandeis officials are asking resident students who have kitchens, including those in Ridgewood, Village, Charles River, Foster Mods and 567 South St., to continue to boil their water.
Though the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) continues to advise that unboiled tap water can be used for bathing (but be careful not to swallow any water while bathing) and flushing, you are also asked to continue to conserve water, postpone laundry, and take short showers.
Officials from the Health Center at Brandeis took part in a conference call Sunday morning with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The center has posted additional information about the boil water order, and its impact on campus, on the center's Web site.
Information for faculty and staff returning to campus Monday:
- The university will be open on Monday, May 3, and operating on a regular schedule
- No coffee will be available, including at Einstein Bros. Bagels, Java City and the International Business School's World Court, until the boil water order is lifted
- While dining services will be open as usual, the menu will be limited, so community members coming from off-campus may want to bring a bagged lunch
- Faculty and staff members can help with safe drinking water efforts by bringing their own supply of pre-boiled or bottled water to work
- Safe drinking water will be available in the Shapiro Campus Center and Usdan and Sherman Dining facilities during regular operational hours. While cups will be available, individuals are encouraged to use personal, refillable water bottles to cut down on waste.
- Hand sanitizer will be available in many locations across campus, but faculty and staff who can bring personal hand sanitizer to work are encouraged to do so
- Tap water fountains will be posted with no use water advisory signs
Click here for more on the boil water order from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
Click here for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's answers to frequently asked questions related to the boil water order.
