Every tenant living at a downtown McMaster residence will have to move out of the premises for six days while crews fix the coliform contamination that has tainted the building’s water supply.

Those living in the downtown, 30-storey dormitory at 10 Bay Street South will be relocated to a nearby hotel beginning Feb. 4.

The water, however, is just one of a growing list of issues with the building that still remains under construction.

Holly Thompson is completing her master’s degree in occupational therapy at McMaster.

When she moved into the building in November alongside roughly 200 other students, she knew immediately that something was wrong.

“On move in day, we weren’t able to move in until 7 p.m. Red flag right off the bat. Moving forward, water issues started in November. None of the amenities being done.” she says.

The water was coming out foggy and white, causing some noticeable physical issues to residents like Holly.

“Since the water issues, I’ve had itchy skin like crazy. I’m scared to shower in my own building.”

Another resident, Connor Galloway, has been drinking that water.

“I myself have just gone through food poisoning or something. I don’t want to make accusations, I have been drinking the water and have been vomiting non-stop since noon.” he said.

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In December, McMaster said, “according to Public Health Ontario, while total coliforms may indicate deteriorating water quality, it is typically not harmful nor causes health concerns.

“A bit upset with how the school handled this…less than two weeks’ notice is not an acceptable way to handle this.” said Connor.

The university says it will cover all costs associated with the move and stay and also provide all residents with a $100 per day food allowance per person.

Rent will not be charged to those affected by the move while staying at the hotel.

A letter from the school’s Housing and Conference Services department says the building will undergo an “extended full-building chlorination process,” which will sanitize both the main building water supply pipes and chlorinate all in-unit plumbing and fixtures.

“If any residents use the water system, it may compromise the testing and the ability to address the treatment,” it adds.

An earlier chlorination attempt took place over a month ago after flushing the water system alone didn’t work.

The university is providing bottled water to those waiting to be relocated and says it will give more details to students about the next steps later this week.

For Holly Thompson, it might be too late to redeem the building. She says she isn’t sure she wants to move back in at all.

“Can’t make a decision right now. People are looking for other places. When you’re so stressed with school it’s hard to focus right now.”