Steam Pipe Leaks Caused Weeks-Long Water Disruptions in Raether Library

Sajja Ranjit ‘29

News Editor

During the fall semester, students studying in the Raether Library encountered closed restrooms, unavailable water fountains and the unexpected closure of Peter B’s Espresso. Additionally, the disruptions that unfolded over several weeks not only affected the library but also caused water in buildings all across campus such as the Austin Arts Center, McCook Academic Building, First-Year Residence Halls and Albert C. Jacobs Life Sciences Center (LSC) to be unavailable. College officials say that the series of disruptions were caused by leaks in an underground steam pipe that affected the library’s water supply.

According to Tom Fusciello, Trinity’s Assistant Vice President of Construction and Facilities Operations, the disruptions were caused by “a steam pipe that runs in that area that provides heat for certain parts of campus, and the team discovered that there was a leak in that pipe,” Fusciello said. “As we started digging, we found more leaks as we were trying to fix it…That waterline feeds the library and some other buildings, and it caused the normally cold water to be unsafely hot. That’s why we shut down the toilets and the faucets in the library,” Fusciello said. 

Facilities Services decided to shut off the water access in the building as a safety concern. Although the library was able to stay open, the restrooms, water fountains and sinks were all shut off and unavailable for extended periods of time, and portable restrooms were placed outside during the repair process. 

Scott Jordan, Trinity’s Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, said that the issue worsened due to the age and design of the infrastructure of the library. Jordan stated that the library area remains on a legacy system with underground steam pipes that run throughout different campus buildings and are connected to Trinity’s central heating plant. “Most of the heat at Trinity is from a single central boiler,” Jordan said. “There are these underground pipes that run through every building, and that’s what heats the campus.” Jordan noted that Trinity has already begun transitioning parts of campus to newer, decentralized heating systems. Many of the first-year residence halls have already been converted, reducing the likelihood of similar issues in those buildings. “This is a legacy system that has old pipes, and they’re deep underground and they leak sometimes,” Jordan said. The location of the leak required construction crews to excavate areas near the library in order to locate and repair the damaged pipes. 

While restroom access was a major inconvenience for students, the water outage also directly impacted student employment. Peter B’s Espresso, located inside the library, relies on water for daily operations, including pulling espresso shots, brewing tea, and preparing other beverages. Without a reliable water supply, the café was forced to shut down for extended periods. For student employees, the closing of Peter B’s meant more than just a temporary inconvenience. Many students rely on campus jobs to cover tuition, textbooks, and personal expenses. One Peter B’s employee said that staff went several weeks without being able to work. The employee added that the unpredictable nature of the repairs made the situation more frustrating. Employees stated that they were relieved once the water was fully back.

Throughout the process, Facilities Services sent out campus-wide emails updating students, faculty, and staff on excavation timelines, affected buildings and alternative restroom and shower options. However, some students expressed frustration as timelines shifted and initial expectations about repair completion changed.

Despite the challenges, Fusciello said all discovered leaks have now been repaired, though occasional problems can still arise in older systems. “It’s a crystal ball thing,” Fusciello said. “We don’t expect any more leaks, but they do happen on occasion. Every leak we’ve seen has been repaired.”

Both Fusciello and Jordan emphasized the importance of students reporting facilities-related issues as soon as they notice them, noting that early reporting can help prevent small problems from escalating into larger disruptions. “Every student has the right to ask for a repair when they see something,” Jordan said. College officials said their goal remains to address facilities concerns as efficiently and safely as possible, while continuing efforts to modernize campus infrastructure and minimize future disruptions.Students can report facilities-related issues or submit work orders through Facilities Services at https://www.trincoll.edu/facilities/.