By Omar Anderson, Gleaner WriterA PROLONGED water lock-off yesterday forced the University of the West Indies (UWI) to cancel classes.
The lock-off affected boarders as well, as the university had no general back-up water storage system.
Deputy Principal Joe Pereira, in a notice on Campus Pipeline, the UWI's online system, said a decision was taken to cancel all classes at 1:30 p.m., due to the lock-off which he said was done to allow for maintenance work by the National Water Commission (NWC) on its Hope high-level pumping system.
However, students writing examinations and in-course tests were required to stay and sit them.
"The UWI did not receive prior notice of this maintenance work, nor the necessity to lock off the water supply," Mr. Pereira said.
But Charles Buchanan, the NWC's public relations manager, speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, disputed Mr. Pereira's claim, and said that the Commission issued a media advisory Tuesday, stating that emergency work would be done on its Hope filter plant, and that areas fed by the plant would be affected.
UWI NOT DIRECTLY NOTIFIED
The Gleaner obtained a copy of the media advisory yesterday, which stated that both the UWI and University of Technology (UTech) would be affected.
"The work being done is aimed at facilitating much improved service from the Hope system," he said.
Mr. Buchanan said that emergency work at the Hope plant was expected to finish at 8:00 last night, followed by a return of normal water supply shortly after.
The NWC spokesman said, however, he was not sure whether an advisory was sent directly to the UWI.
"It would have been the desired thing to do to one of our most critical customers, but under emergency conditions, there will be instances where we have to make an announcement and go ahead with the work," he said, adding that the institution should consider implementing back-up systems for times when normal water supply is disrupted.
The UWI's public relations officer, Carroll Edwards, told The Gleaner yesterday that boarders relied on water supplied from drums on the various halls of residence, which are part of the university's emergency/disaster preparedness system.
The Gleaner was also advised that classes at UTech were also affected, forcing a number of students to leave the campus.
