Main breaks leave students high and dry

Some students living off-campus had to brush their teeth with Evian water yesterday morning, after a water crisis Sunday shut off the water supply to many businesses and residences city-wide. The water crisis was triggered by water main breaks over the weekend, Water Department spokesperson Joan Pzybylowisz said last night. More than 150 million gallons of water were lost each day because of the water main breaks, which were caused by wild fluctuations in air temperature, she added. "[The water] is leaking underground and on the streets," Pzybylowisz said. To counter the massive water loss and to prevent fire hazards, the Water Department lowered water pressure throughout the city, she added. College senior Charles Maddow said yesterday he had to shut off the water in his 41st Street house after his floor became overrun with flooding caused by a burst water pipe. "I still haven't showered," he said. Maddow added that he had to brush his teeth with "bottled water." Wharton senior Dev Choudry said while the faint water pressure did not stop him from brushing his teeth in his off-campus apartment, he had to take his morning shower at Hutchinson Gymnasium. He said there was only hot water flowing from the faucets in his apartment. Choudry added that although his roommates took showers in their apartment yesterday morning, he was sure "they really didn't enjoy them." When he took his complaint to his landlord at the University City Housing office, Choudry said his landlord said it would be too expensive to fix the pipes. Students living on-campus have not been as strongly affected by the water crisis, though, said Executive Director of Physical Plant James Wargo. "We haven't had many complaints," he said. While Wargo acknowledged that there was lower water pressure in the University's water system, he said he believed the situation was much worse in South Philadelphia and Center City. Pzybylowisz said "certain complaints take precedence" over others, but would not say if the Water Department has devoted special attention to the University. She added that the Water Department has been receiving between 30 and 50 complaints each day about water shortages. Normally, Pzybylowisz explained, the Water Department receives about 13 calls a day. There have been "serious problems" with main breaks since Dec. 27 because the mains are "really old," she said. The recent "ice storm" only escalated the crisis, though, Pzybylowisz said.