Bacteria still present at McMaster residence water after planned evacuation

Despite students living at McMaster University’s residence at 10 Bay St. moving out for close to a week, the school says bacteria is still present in the building’s water system.

The building’s 200 residents left to clear the way for the school’s latest attempt to flush bacteria out of the water supply, with students saying beforehand that they hoped it would be the end of the issues.

Previous chlorination efforts focused only on the building’s main water pipe, which is less disruptive. This time, the complete system was fully flushed.

McMaster says that total coliform bacteria is still being found in 5 out of 58 water samples taken by their consultants after the staged move-out.

The negative results are all contained to a single building zone, inclusive of floors 10 to 16, while all other floors came back as clear.

READ MORE: Residents at downtown McMaster residence forced to evacuate

McMaster officials say consultants are now working on developing a targeted approach on impacted floors and that it will continue to monitor all other occupied floors.

In an email to residents, the school said it remains committed to resolving the issue as soon as possible and will offer 100 per cent, total rent reduction for the month of February.

In addition, residents will continue to be supplied water until all bacteria is cleared from the system.

The university is set to hold a virtual meeting with residents this coming Tuesday at 5 p.m.

WATCH MORE: Residents at downtown McMaster residence hold demonstration, demand pause in rent