Bornsesteeg. Photo Joris Schaap The leakage caused a fire hazard because the water could come in contact with electricity, prompting Idealis to cut off electricity and evacuate the B wing. Residents spent the night with friends or in one of the hotel rooms Idealis offered.
The leakage started on Wednesday, 9 October, says Idealis director Bart van As. ‘The sewage system was completely fixed two years ago, but recent frequent blockages meant we had a full inspection planned. Then this happened.’ A blockage resulted in sewage water seeping through the ceiling over several floors and entering the corridors, toilets and mains cupboard.
The blockage is caused by some residents’ behaviour, says Van As. ‘Wet wipes are being flushed down. They accumulate and cause blockages. But inspection also revealed a plastic bottle. How anyone managed to get that flushed down is a mystery to me. And during a general inspection, we found potato peels in someone’s shower. A small number of people cause blockages that impact an entire wing.’
After an extensive clean-up and drying operation, most residents are now able to return to their rooms, Van As states. ‘With the exception of corridors 3, 4, 6 and 7. We are working diligently to ensure the residents of these corridors can return to their rooms before the start of the weekend, but we will only know for sure later today.’
Update Friday 11 October:
All residents can return to their rooms. Some corridors still have no electricity; Idealis has laid extension cords so that lights and small electrical appliances can be used.
