1.   The overflow connection should have a filter to keep out insects and an internal dip tube to prevent icy draughts.

2.   A second company was aware of the defective dip tubes.

3.   Eventually, working with the American Water Works Association, the district traced the problem to the dip tubes.

4.   Gagnon found out he had a water heater with a defective dip tube.

5.   He recently spent two weeks trying to find out why there were plastic chips in his bath water before finally being told about the dip tubes.

6.   It turned out that the water lines were clogged with plastic chips from a dip tube.

7.   Plumbers would detect and fix the defective dip tubes when on service calls.

8.   Plumbers were recently notified of the settlement and were asked to help in replacing the dip tubes and making other repairs.

9.   Sharon Fink of Overland Park, Kan., had a dip tube replaced on an A.O. Smith water heater last fall.

10.   The dip tube was not replaced, meaning that the valves and dishwashers had to be fixed again.