Vandals flood basement

Published in Long Beach City College's Viking newspaper in 2006.

Building E flushes $2,500-$10,000 when outside help needed.

Flooding on the basement floor of Building E at the LAC is an on-going issue caused by the unnecessary flushing of objects, which do not resemble sewage, but look more like knives and wasted underwear, maintenance personnel said.
Jeri Carter, manager of Student Life, said flooding has occurred roughly 2-3 times a year for the past 10 years.
"The building was built in the 1970's and is the most used building at the college," Carter said. "The pump below ground is not strong enough to handle the use, therefore it overflows and it's not pleasant."
Heating, ventilating and air conditioner mechanic Mark Garber explained that the spillage usually happens around registration time when hundreds of people occupy the building.
"Students are flushing underwear, pantyhose, knives, forks, syringes and wallets containing no money," Garber said. "The two 10-horse power pumps below in the sump hole are designed to cut up and store sewage, not big objects."
Garber also said underwear wrapped around the impeller, the blade that cuts up sewage, caused the latest flooding Tuesday, Feb. 7. The pump has been fixed, but the second pump is burned out and unusable due to the same type of incident.
"I've personally been in the sump hole up to my knees and when we can't fix it we call a company out to fix the problem," Garber said. "Flushing these objects is just another form of vandalism and it's costing the school $2,500-$10,000 every time this happens."
Garber also said even paper towels can cause flooding and people need to stop flushing them.
"Whatever can fit through the 4-inch hole in the toilet, we have found," Garber said. "People would flush the Super Bowl if they could."
Garber said Library books that will be moved to the basement of Building E will most likely be safe.
"Maybe a few gallons spill out, non of which is raw sewage, but we've never had a major flood," Garber said. "The mess is immediately cleaned up and the area is disinfected."
Garber also explained that along with a warning light near College Center coordinator Barbara Sorenson's desk, a loud alarm sounds when the water level rises over a certain point.
"It's gotten worse over the years," Garber said. "The student population is caring less and less about the school's appearance."
Garber also said student's need more education on the topic of vandalism and also need to understand that it is a large hindrance to everyone.
"The women's restrooms are always dirty, especially in the English building," student Miriam Morales said. "Students should be more aware of what they're doing, because keeping our restrooms clean will only benefit us, plus it's stupid and a waste of time to ruin the restrooms."