Bookstore flooded with sewage, Sennott Square flooded with water

The Campus Bookstore had what was described as a “toilet-paper problem” this weekend…. The Campus Bookstore had what was described as a “toilet-paper problem” this weekend.

According to Pitt spokesman John Fidele, toilet paper delivered to Pitt on Sept. 8 had a higher-than-normal glue content, which prevented it from disintegrating when flushed. As a result, pipes got clogged, and sewage built up. The sewage then began to come through the Bookstore’s ceiling and into the storeroom below.

“That’s a huge problem,” Fidele said.

There was only minor damage to the ceiling tiles and merchandise, he said, adding that the toilet paper distributor will pay for any damages and plumber’s services.

The janitorial staff used disinfecting supplies to help kill the germs and clean the store.

Fidele was not sure whether the flooding occurred on Friday or Saturday.

The upstairs part of the Bookstore remained open during the cleanup.

On Friday afternoon, Sennott Square was also flooded – but with water.

A malfunction caused a sprinkler to go off, causing some minor water damage to 15 rooms in the building and to the Blockbuster Video, Panera Bread and the Vespa dealership, which are located on the ground floor of the building.

The rooms damaged have been dried out and are now in a useable condition.

Fidele did not know what caused the malfunction.