Enstar Natural Gas is working to repair a break in a gas pipeline feeding into communities near Whittier.
A boater on the Twentymile River smelled gas and reported the leak Sunday, Enstar said.
A crew investigated the pipeline on Monday, utility spokeswoman Harley Hedlund said.
“They confirmed that the break is in a submerged portion of the pipeline near the Twentymile River,” Hedlund said.
As of Tuesday, there had not been an interruption to gas service. But Hedlund said that could change.
“That service may be interrupted periodically as our Enstar teams are repairing the line over that repair period,” she said. “Thirty to 45 days, I believe, is the expectation, as of now.”
So far, she said, there is no suspected cause for the leak.
Enstar is working on a plan to truck in liquefied natural gas to “regasify” the pipeline in the event that the supply is cut off, Hedlund said.
Locals should be prepared to find a warm place to stay in case temperatures dip too low and make alternate plans for those whose medical or accessibility needs could be impacted by a loss of hot water or heating, Hedlund said.
