UNC-Chapel Hill Water Main Break Causes Water Shortage on Campus, at Medical Center

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has canceled classes after a water main break.

The school issued an alert Monday announcing that all non-mandatory operations are suspended. The school was encouraging faculty and staff to leave campus so services can focus on residential and essential needs. Students living in residence halls were able to remain on campus.

The Orange Water and Sewer Authority says a main water line leaving a plant broke, draining its storage. The utility is asking people to boil water while it experiences low pressure and to limit consumption to essential use, such as drinking and hygiene.

The water shortage prompted UNC Medical Center to temporarily suspend elective surgeries. The hospital isn’t accepting transfer patients and trauma patients were being sent to other facilities in the area.