Columbia Gas To Check Over 400 More North Andover Gas Lines

ANDOVER, MA — Columbia Gas will be doing compliance checks on over 400 more abandoned gas service lines in North Andover, in addition to checks announced in September, the company said Monday. Columbia Gas said this is to respond to the latest sets of orders from the Department of Public Utilities, issued after last month's gas leak in Lawrence. The orders mandated Columbia gas check 2,200 service lines abandoned during Merrimack Valley restoration work.

The checks will not interrupt gas service, as they only concern abandoned service lines, according to Columbia Gas.

You can see if your address will be checked here.

"Columbia Gas is in the process of conducting outreach to customers to schedule appointments to verify the old service lines. The company will conduct verifications seven days a week in order to complete the project by the deadline of November 15. Customers may choose to have the verification conducted inside or outside of their home or business. If the inspection finds the abandoned service line was not retired in accordance with Massachusetts requirements, the crew will complete the necessary work," the company said.

The compliance checks, ordered Oct. 2, ultimately result from the gas explosions over a year ago that killed one, injured more than 20 and damaged or destroyed more than 130 buildings in the Merrimack Valley.

Christopher Huffaker: 412-263-1724 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.