Thousands of Mount Gambier residents will spend another night without gas supply following one of the largest outages in the city's recent memory.
The incident is affecting more than 9,000 customers in the city including aged care homes, hotels, and dozens of businesses.
Epic Energy and APA group said gas supply would progressively return to Mount Gambier from tomorrow, with the expectation all consumers would be reconnected by Monday.
Temperatures in Mount Gambier fell below 3 degrees Celsius at 6:00am today and residents are facing another uncomfortably chilly start tomorrow morning.
Gas supply was cut off Wednesday night following a problem with the city's gate meter station.
Epic Energy CEO Clive D'Cruz said personnel worked quickly to identify and repair the meter station today.
"We appreciate the patience the community has shown since last night and apologise for the inconvenience caused," Mr D'Cruz said.
"Our technical specialists will now investigate what prompted this unexpected issue. As part of today's repairs our personnel have also extensively checked all components of the meter station to enable safe operation."
It is understood Mount Gambier's medi-hotel, servicing people in coronavirus quarantine and operated at the Southgate Motel, has also been without gas supply.
Mount Gambier plumber Nick Anderson said his phone had been running hot since gas supply ceased around 6:30pm on Wednesday.
"I have lost count how many calls I've had," Mr Anderson said.
"A lot of the hotels in Mount Gambier run on gas and are badly affected. We are also working with an aged care home in Mount Gambier," Mr Anderson said
Manual restart of appliances by qualified fitter required
The offline meter station delivers gas into the APA-operated network which supplies gas to Mount Gambier residents.
APA Group General Manager Networks Ed DePrinse said APA Group representatives would visit each property to reinstate supply.
"Consumers will be either re-connected if at home, or if not, a card will be left to instruct how to relight appliances," he said.
"The card will also include a contact number for anyone who requires assistance with the relight process. Once re-connected, consumers may resume normal use of their gas supply."
Pfeiler Plumb 'N' Gas owner Dawn Pfeiler said the business had received dozens of calls since last night.
"We have had up to 50 calls from people. I have been in the industry for 30 years and have never seen anything like this," Ms Pfeiler said.
She said residents must ensure their appliances were turned off to ensure they were not exposed to fumes when supply returned.
"We can't do anything at the moment until the gas comes back on," Ms Pfeiler said.
She said it was likely they might have to bleed lines and re-light pilots for customers once supply flowed.
Quarantine hotel in the cold
Eliza Berlage and her partner are mid-way through their 14-day quarantine at Mount Gambier's medi-hotel and unable to leave their room.
Ms Berlage said she was told by reception this morning that the Southgate Motel could be without gas for up to five days.
"Having a daily bath or shower is one of the few luxuries and way to pass the time in here, and it's the only other room we can use — bar the main bed and lounge area," she said.
The South Eastern Hotel in Mount Gambier is another venue stuck without gas.
Venue manager Linda Boylan said the restaurant was only able to offer half of their menu options.
"It makes it tough on business, and trying to explain to people that we are limited — some are very understanding, [but] some aren't quite so understanding," she said.
"We'll definitely be staying open and providing the food that we can do without gas. We've just got to think outside the square."
Further updates will be available via the APA Group Natural Gas Emergency Hotline on 1800 898 220 and National Response Centre on 1800 427 532.
