Englewood library director reports plumbing failures about twice a week

Plumbing failures at Englewood Public Library rose to about two a week over the six weeks before Oct. 15, including sewage leaks and restroom closures, Library Director Rachel Fuel told board members. Fuel said the problems had previously occurred perhaps once or twice a year, according to her report to the board.

Fuel cited Oct. 7 and 8 incidents in which water came down from the second floor. A patron alerted staff after noticing water in a bathroom. Some episodes can last two days, with more water appearing later and ceiling tiles falling, she said.

The leaks disrupted restroom access. Patrons sometimes had to use a restroom on another floor, and in a few cases all of the library’s restrooms had to close. During the Oct. 7–8 incidents, staff moved books; Fuel said no library materials were damaged.

The problems followed repeated flooding in September. The library’s October update lists incidents on nine dates from Sept. 6 through Sept. 29, including water reaching carpet and falling from the ceiling into library areas. The library closed at 6 p.m. Sept. 24. The next morning, staff reported wet ceiling tiles to the assistant facilities manager and risk program manager.

Fuel said library staff planned to discuss possible approaches with facilities staff.