A ruptured steam condensate line discovered this afternoon at CU-Â鶹¹ÙÍø west of the campus power plant drained treated water into a storm sewer and Â鶹¹ÙÍø Creek at about Folsom Avenue but did not pose a danger to aquatic life, dogs, other animals, humans or the environment, campus officials said.
The water is treated to prevent the growth of microorganisms and to preserve the pipes.
The steam supply to the Hunter Science Building was shut off shortly after the leak was discovered at 3 p.m. and the flow of water was stopped at about 4:15 p.m., according to Dave Wergin, director of CU's Environmental Health and Safety department.
The leak was immediately reported to the City of Â鶹¹ÙÍø and state water quality departments. All mitigation work was coordinated through the two agencies to ensure appropriate procedures were followed, Wergin said.
Because the pipe was a steam condensate line, the water pressure is lower than it would be for a typical waterline and less water consequently drained into the storm sewer. The amount of water released will be determined tomorrow, Wergin said.
The leak was discovered at about 3 p.m. when water began filling a hole east of the power plant on Regent Drive where crews were replacing old fuel tanks. The water also spilled into a storm sewer which eventually drains into Â鶹¹ÙÍø Creek.
Oil contaminated soil surrounding the tanks was in the process of being removed when the leak occurred. However, the amount of oil residue in the hole that mixed with the water was slight, Wergin said, and was completely contained with absorbant material.
The Â鶹¹ÙÍø Fire Department responded to the scene in addition to CU's Environmental Health and Safety department, Facilities Management and CU Police.
The broken pipe will be repaired in the next two days by CU's Facilities Management department, Wergin said.
For more information call Dave Wergin at (303) 492-6025 or Jeannine Malmsbury at (303) 492-3115.