GAS PAINS
Alto works to replace old, brittle PVC gas lines beneath the Alto Housing Authority
BY LELAND ACKER

Alto Housing Authority k Director Odis Bryan shows where Alto Utilities Department personnel had difficulty repairing a gas meter. The housing authority is serviced by gas lines constructed from PVC pipe, which grows brittle and breaks under pressure when used for gas lines.

The Alto Utilities Department is moving beyond repairs to preventative maintenance as the city takes steps to replace gas lines that are running beneath the third phase addition of the Alto Housing Authority.

Brandon Tyer, utilities supervisor, said the current lines are constructed out of PVC pipe, a material that becomes brittle over time, leaving it vulnerable to gas leaks.

Mr. Tyer told the Cherokeean Herald that while it is illegal to install gas lines using PVC pipe today, the lines beneath the housing authority are legal because they were put in place before PVC was outlawed for gas usage.

"They are grandfathered in," Mr. Tyer said. "The rule is that they are okay if they are not leaking, but if they do leak, you can't replace them with PVC pipe."

Mr. Tyer outlined the problem to the Alto City Council during its regular monthly meeting April 14. He told the council that as his crews repaired gas meters at the housing authority, PVC lines cracked due to the extra pressure placed on them.

Mr. Tyer said any repairs made to the lines at the housing authority had the potential to cause other leaks.

"We have to get rid of the PVC lines," he said, suggesting the city replace them with "poly" pipe.

"Poly is good," said Louis Lopez, head maintenance employee at the Alto Housing Authority. "It's better than galvanized pipe. With poly, it's easier to add lines to the meter. PVC gets real brittle and breaks easily."

Odis Bryan, Alto Housing Authority director, said there have been no major problems with the gas lines at the housing authority, but adds that he is glad the city is taking preventative steps.

"The city has worked well with us," Mr. Bryan said. "They want to stay ahead of it. They want the problem resolved before it poses a health and safety problem. I think things will work out well."

Mr. Bryan said the issue may have surfaced as city utilities personnel attempted to repair a gas meter in the third phase of the housing authority. He said as crews reattached the meter to the line, the PVC line broke. Other than that, Mr. Bryan said there have been no serious gas line issues.

Mr. Bryan said a few years ago, the gas lines in the second phase posed a serious problem, prompting the city to replace them.

"I don't think we're close to that point with phase three," he said. "The city just wants to stay ahead of it. I'm very appreciative of the city that they want to get it resolved before it poses a problem. It's a good move for us and the city. If you wait until it poses a problem, then you have serious problems."

The council voted April 14 to accept bids for the replacement of the PVC gas lines at the Alto Housing Authority. Mr. Bryan said he looks forward to working with the city to replace the lines.

"We'll continue to work with the city," he said.