What You Need to Know About the Natural Gas Pipelines Buried in Your Yard

As a safety measure, the Federal Office of Pipeline Safety (Federal Regulation 49 CFR 192.16) requires Richmond Gas Works, as a natural gas operator, to notify its customers of the need to maintain their underground or buried natural gas piping.

Any and all gas piping downstream (on the structure/house side) of the gas meter belongs to the customer, who is responsible for the maintenance and operation of this portion of the natural gas line.

Richmond Gas Works does not own this portion of the natural gas line; therefore, we do not routinely maintain or locate these private gas lines. Licensed commercial plumbers and heating contractors may be contacted for assistance in locating, inspecting, repairing, and maintaining these private gas lines.

Underground gas piping should be: 

• Periodically inspected for leaks  
• Periodically inspected for corrosion if the piping is metallic
• Repaired if any unsafe condition is discovered, or the flow of gas should be shut off 

Also, remember that these privately-owned gas lines should be marked by your contractor or plumber before any digging or excavation is done in the area. Call 811. If the work will be close to the underground gas line, we suggest that the digging is done carefully and by hand.