8.5.C. SR 06-06-2005
Item 8.5.C.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Mayor and City Council
FROM:
stephen Rohlf, Building and Environmental Administrator
--5jL
June 6, 2005
DATE:
SUBJECT:
CenterPoint Energy Gas line Repair Update
Apparendy, the recent gas explosion in Ramsey, Minnesota was caused by a certain type of
coupling that connected the black iron main gas line pipe to plastic service lines. Staff has
been working with CenterPoint Energy to determine what locations in Elk River have this
situation.
The coupling in question was used between the years 1959 and 1983. CenterPoint not only
has to track which houses we built during these years, but also what older houses may have
connected to gas during that time span.
It is estimated that there are as many as 500 or 600 houses in Elk River that will need to have
their service lines replaced. CenterPoint is aiming at July 25, 2005 to start work here. They
will be attempting to repair all of the questionable lines in their service territory prior to next
winter. Although the chances of another Ramsey are not necessarily significant, a leaking
service line is less danger in the summer because it can somewhat vent through the ground.
In the winter the gas from a leak can be trapped under frozen ground and find its way to a
structure.