Update: Water was restored by 8:20 p.m.
A 12 inch water main broke on Locust Street at approximately 7 p.m. causing a loss of water to campus buildings for a short period. Water was restored to some buildings by 8 p.m.
Plemmons Student Union closed at 7:30 p.m. as a result of the break.
The Physical Plant does not know the specific cause, Eric Greer of the Physical Plant Mechanical Shop, said.
The cause was not determined as of 7:45 p.m.
“When the water main breaks with this size of line, it will take water from other buildings so that’s what happens,” Greer said. “Several dining halls were out and it set off fire alarms in Peacock [Hall], John E. Thomas [Hall] and Holmes Convocation [Center].”
In order to fix the break, Physical Plant will be working “through the night to get the water main repaired and back in service.”
The Appalachian received conflicting reports on the status of water outages in residential and academic buildings.
Director of Student Programs Jeff Cathy said the student union needed to close because the lack of water means the restrooms are not functioning.