17,000 Columbia Gas customers have possibly defective lines
Columbia installers discovered last month that the pipe has an inconsistent thickness, which raised concerns that it may be vulnerable to leaks...A total of 17,600 Ohio customers are affected, which is about 1 percent of the company's 1.4 million customers in the state. Columbia's parent company installed the pipe in 28,300 homes and businesses across five states including Ohio. The pipe is made by Polypipe, a Texas company. Since learning of the problem, Columbia has switched to a different supplier.

17,000 Columbia Gas customers have possibly defective lines
No leaks have been found, but company will inspect them

More than 17,000 Columbia Gas of Ohio customers have gas lines that the company says may be defective, though no leaks have been found.

Columbia will inspect for the leaks over the next few weeks. The company is also investigating whether there is an elevated danger that the pipe will deteriorate more quickly over time.

The problem stems from irregularities in the plastic pipe that runs from the company's distribution lines to homes and businesses, said spokesman Ken Stammen. The piping, which is 1 inch in diameter, was installed between November and August. This would include new construction and some pipes replaced during that time period.

Columbia installers discovered last month that the pipe has an inconsistent thickness, which raised concerns that it may be vulnerable to leaks.

 "We don't believe there's an immediate safety issue," Stammen said.

A total of 17,600 Ohio customers are affected, which is about 1 percent of the company's 1.4 million customers in the state. Columbia's parent company installed the pipe in 28,300 homes and businesses across five states including Ohio.

The pipe is made by Polypipe, a Texas company. Since learning of the problem, Columbia has switched to a different supplier.

Polypipe and Columbia have begun separate investigations about the long-term stability of the pipe.

For now, inspectors have spent several weeks looking for leaks that might have already begun. This is done with a handheld detector, and involved walking around the customer's house or business.

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/09/21/21-pipes-gas.html?sid=101