Vandalism at a water tower compound in Cape Breton has led to the closure of the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Marconi campus in Sydney for a second day.
The Nova Scotia Department of Environment has issued a non-consumption order for the campus and Cape Breton University (CBU), which also uses the tower until test results come back and show the water is safe.
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“It’s a precaution. We want to make sure the water is safe and our campus community is safe,” said Kathleen Cameron, the manager of external affairs at NSCC.
Cameron said the vandalism was discovered on Wednesday morning and it’s believed it took place overnight.
A spokesperson for the Cape Breton Regional Police said they received a report on Wednesday that the locks on the gates to the water tower and water treatment facility had been damaged.
“Officers attended and are investigating to determine who is responsible for breaking the locks. There is nothing to indicate any entry into the treatment facility building and nothing was stolen from the property,” said Desiree Vassallo in an email.
NSCC plans to re-open the Marconi campus on Friday and has brought in bottled water for staff and students. Food services will not be open on Friday.
“We have over 1,000 students and staff there,” Cameron said. “It’s quite a large building and quite a large undertaking.”
Similarly, CBU has suspended its food services and is offering bottled water to students living in residences.
Meanwhile, police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call them at 902-563-5151 or submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers.