Gas Service Restoration at Newark Memorial Delayed

Newark Unified School Distict officials are hoping to restore gas services to Newark Memorial High School by Friday. 

Gas services to the high school were shut off after the discovery a near the high school’s pool on Nov. 15.

The damaged pipe, which measures three inches in diameter, has been , said Elaine Neilsen, chief business official for Newark Unified.

Bonetti Construction was on the high school campus throughout the week of Nov. 15 to the pipe, which was located 4 feet underground, near the school’s pool wall, she said.

Deterioration of the pipe has been determined as the cause of the seepage, Neilsen said.

Officials had hoped to get gas services back in order earlier this week, but a valve near the campus’ office also needed repairs.

“The valve by the office was not functioning correctly and repair parts were ordered on Monday.  Yesterday the when the repair was started, the parts did not fit and due to the age of the valve, it was decided to replace the valve,” Neilsen wrote in an email.

District officials plan to call PG&E to restore gas services on Friday, Neilsen said.

PG&E personnel were called to the school on the afternoon of Nov. 15 and gas services were immediately shut off, impacting heat and hot water, PG&E spokesperson Monica Tell has said.