A whole slew of the nation's major water heater manufacturers are involved in this one. It has something to do with a dip tube produced by Perfection Corporation and used in heaters made by Rheem Manufacturing Company, State Industries, Inc., A.O. Smith Corporation, American Water Heater Company, Bradford White Corporation, and Lochinvar Corporation. The tanks in questions were manufactured between August 1998 and October 1996.

According to the information at hand, "A dip tube is a piece of polypropylene plastic tubing that delivers a flow of cold water in a water heater so that it will produce hot water. Signs of a defective dip tube include loss of hot water volume and pressure and the appearance of tiny white or gray particles in the hot water supply."

A proof of claim must be filed by anyone wishing to be a class member by June 30, 2000 to claim past repairs and/or damages and until December 31, 2000 if seeking a dip tube replacement or associated repairs.

For details, write to: DIP TUBE LITIGATION CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR, PO Box 9338, Garden City, NY 11530-9338 or call 1(800) 329-0561 or log on to their web site at http://www.diptubesettlement.com.