How to tell if there might be a gas leak:

The following can help determine if there could be a gas leak:

SMELL:

The most reliable sign of a natural gas leak is smell. Washington Gas adds an odorant called mercaptan to create the distinctive smell of sulfur or rotten eggs.

SIGHT:

Unexplained, random dead patch of lawn or vegetation in an otherwise green area of lawn or vegetation, unnatural bubbles in puddles and waterways (pond, creek, lake) or dirt being thrown in the air.

HEARING:

A hissing sound or blowing noises, typically accompanied by a gas odor.

What should I do if I think I smell natural gas?

While not all suspected gas odors are the result of an actual gas leak, this can only be determined by qualified personnel. If a person smells gas or hears the hissing of escaping gas, inside or outside a building:

What does Washington Gas do when it responds to investigate a gas odor complaint?

Regulations and standards state whether our crews repair the leak immediately or follow up with the repair at a later time. Here’s a look at the typical process:

1. DETERMINE IF THERE IS A LEAK

Through the use of natural gas detection equipment, a technician will check the area to investigate for indications of natural gas.

2. LOCATE AND ASSESS

If gas is detected, the technician will continue their investigation in order to locate the area of the leak and where gas may be present. Using this information and other factors, the technician will determine if the leak poses a hazard. The technician will not leave until the area has been determined to be safe.

3. RESPOND

Safety is our top priority. If a leak poses a potential hazard, the technician will make sure the area is safe, and Washington Gas will conduct immediate repairs. Leaks determined to be non-hazardous will be scheduled for repair at a later date.

Does Washington Gas have to shut off the gas to repair a leak?

Many leaks are repaired safely without shutting off the gas. If required to maintain safety to the public and our employees, Washington Gas will shut off the gas. When safety permits, Washington Gas plans any shut off to minimize disruption to our customers. The most common gas shut off methods are through using the many valves we have in the system, or in some cases simply squeezing off the pipe.

Techniques include:

• VALVES: Use of a series of valves to isolate the section of pipe being repaired.
• SQUEEZE OFF: Using a squeeze off tool to shut-off gas by ‘pinching’ or squeezing the polyethylene pipelines until gas flow stops. Many times this is done in conjunction with a valve to limit the amount of pipe and customers affected by the shutdown.

Washington Gas permanently repairs all leaks. If a permanent repair is not required immediately, a temporary repair is made until a permanent repair — or replacement — is scheduled. If repairs require the interruption of gas service, that service is only turned back on when the repair is complete. After restoration of service, customers’ appliances are relit by Washington Gas personnel or one of its contractors.

Repair procedures are in compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements and industry standards.

What are the common causes of damage to natural gas pipelines that lead to gas leaks or emergencies?

One of the leading causes of gas leak emergencies are damages to the underground gas lines by individuals and contractors performing excavation work, including digging, boring and directional drilling. We often refer to this kind of damage as a “third-party strike.”

The majority of these incidents are the result of not following the proper damage prevention protocols as established by the “Call Before You Dig” program, 811.

Anyone digging should call 811 at least two full working days — excluding weekends and holidays — before they are scheduled to begin any type of digging to report where they are planning to dig and what type of work they will be doing. Utility companies who may have facilities in the area of the dig site will be notified about the potential excavation. Each affected utility company will send a locator to mark the approximate location of the nearby underground utility lines. This service is free.

Using the 811 service properly helps to significantly reduce the risk of damage to underground utility infrastructure.

Pipelines can be damaged in a number of ways, including:

For more information about the "Call Before You Dig" program, click here.

How does Washington Gas maintain the safety and reliability of its system?

At Washington Gas, providing safe and reliable service to our customers is a priority. In fiscal year 2017, more than 99% of our customers experienced no unplanned outage of service.

We meet or exceed regulatory requirements in inspections and survey of our pipeline systems by:

• Completing a 100% leak survey of the entire underground system over a three-year period by qualified personnel who use sensitive and calibrated gas detecting equipment to identify and address leak indications.
• Conducting additional annual leak surveys over certain segments of the system in particular areas (such as business districts).
• Performing special surveys to identify damage and ensure system safety following extraordinary events that could potentially impact the system, such as earthquakes.
• Collecting and analyzing operating data to better direct maintenance and pipe replacement activities.
• Installing, inspecting and maintaining cathodic protection systems to guard the system’s steel pipelines from corrosion.

 While performing their normal field activities, Washington Gas personnel and its contractors are trained and qualified to recognize and properly address any abnormal operating conditions of the pipeline system.