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Halifax school closes due to flooding

Springvale Elementary School closed this morning due to flooding on the main floor. Officials say a sump pump failed over the weekend. Natasha Pace/Global Halifax

HALIFAX – Springvale Elemtary school was forced to send students home this morning because of flooding in the school.

According to a statement from the Halifax Regional School Board, a failed sump pump allowed water to infiltrate the school.

The pump failed some time over the weekend, and about an inch of water crept onto the main floor and into classrooms. A Board spokesperson says there is also a noticeable smell in the school due to the groundwater flooding the hallways.

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“We just felt it was in our best interest to close, get it cleaned up and hopefully open tomorrow,” explained Doug Hadley of the Halifax Regional School Board.

Crews were at the school this afternoon cleaning up the mess caused by the flooding.

With temperatures on the rise here in Halifax, snow melting and rain on the way, there is some concern about more schools in the area having issues with leaks and flooding.

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“What’s happened is the snow load on the buildings have caused microscopic tears in the roof membrane, and that water has to go somewhere,” said Hadley. “There’s going to be some that’s going into our schools.”

Hadley said there are more than a dozen Halifax schools leaking today, but they’re being managed. He says the Board does not believe safety is being compromised at any school.

Springvale Elementary hopes to be open again tomorrow.

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