The scheme will see 10.2km of new water pipe laid to increase supply and meet the demand from the new Southmead Hospital and housing developments in north Bristol.

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Companies that supply the drillers were also among the buys, including seamless pipe maker Tenaris S.A. (nyse: TS - news - people ).

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If Nibco would share with Dow more details about its business, Dow would in essence manage the supply of resin pellets Nibco buys to make plastic to inject into pipe fittings.

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The facility, which is called a "gas governor" and consists of a large slab of concrete, a flue pipe and a control box, is intended to regulate gas supply in the area.

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