Natural Gas Hazard Awareness and Prevention

The U.S. natural gas transmission and distribution system has the best safety record of any type of transportation system in the country. Natural gas is clean, convenient, and efficient, which makes it the popular energy choice. Like all forms of energy, however, it must be handled properly. Despite an excellent safety record, a gas leak caused by damage to a pipeline may pose a hazard and has the potential to ignite. We work diligently to ensure pipeline safety through a variety of measures including:

• One-call Miss Utility and Dig Safe programs (811)
• Inspection programs 
• Best design and construction practices 
• Workforce qualification and testing
• Public education
• Industry safety practices and government oversight 
• Pipeline markers and facility mapping 
• Gas leak surveys 
• Patrol of critical gas facilities 
• Gas pressure monitoring 
• Gas odorization 
• Working with city, county and municipal agencies 
• Security measures

Natural Gas Pipeline Purpose and Reliability

Richmond Gas Works operates almost 2,000 miles of natural gas pipelines for residential, commercial and industrial use in Richmond, Henrico County and portions of Chesterfield and Hanover counties. It is likely that everyone lives or works near a natural gas pipeline.

These pipelines quietly, reliably and efficiently deliver natural gas throughout the service territory. Natural gas energy is the most popular home heating fuel in America and its pipeline system is among the safest and most secure methods of transporting energy.

The natural gas industry works very closely with government and stays abreast of new security methods and technologies to ensure the highest levels of security. Individual gas utilities also evaluate their security procedures on a regular basis and continually enhance security programs as necessary and appropriate to meet their needs.

Water Treatment Plant Wins Award

The Water Treatment Plant (WTP) was recognized by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), of Virginia on Feb. 6, 2020 for their Sedimentation Basins Improvements Project. The ACEC presented engineering excellence awards for projects demonstrating exceptional innovation, complexity, achievement and value.

The WTP’s project improved operations, equipment reliability and decreased maintenance costs by upgrading the replacement of the flocculator, mixer motors and motor control centers. As part of the new equipment installation, structural repairs were made to basin walls and basin floors were modified. Four basins, including the existing TracVac system with the hose-less collection system, were replaced. Started in the fall of 2014, the project resulted in a higher rate of clarification for filtration and water treatment.

How to Get Help in Richmond, English and Spanish

City of Richmond and Regional Partners Monitoring River Levels

The City of Richmond is closely monitoring the river levels, along with our regional partners Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, and Powhatan counties, as part of the James River Regional Flow Management Plan. The dry weather and lack of significant rainfall in western Virginia in the fall of 2019 could have lead to a call for voluntary water conservation in the metro Richmond area.

The Richmond region is supplied with water by the James River basin, the largest watershed in the state. Water levels locally are affected when there are dry conditions and lack of rainfall within the drainage basin is issued asking all residents in the City of Richmond and surrounding counties to voluntarily reduce water usage.

Water conservation, though, should be an everyday practice for all residents and businesses. Conserving water is an important tool in reducing water demand. Water conservation tips can be found here http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/drinking-water/office-of-drinking-water/water-conservation-tips/.

Citizens Academy 2019 -- Second Week at the Wastewater Treatment Plant

To view as a slideshow, click on the first photo.

After hearing about stormwater management and the flood wall, we're ready to tour!

First stop is where all the garbage that is not sewerage is pulled out of the water...

....by several of these big combing machines

Just a sample of all the things in wastewater that are not biodegradable

We have to take several large containers of this to the landfill daily; and even throughout the night when it rains. Who flushed a Big Gulp cup? And also, flushable wipes do not flush. Put them in the trash can, not the toilet.

Outside the filtration building

Now the combed out water is ready to treat

Geese like to hang out at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, but this group is heading to Florida

We thought these were bats eating bugs and mosquitoes, but a Twitter follower said they're probably chimney swift birds.

Separating this stuff from the water

Night falls at the Wastewater Plant and class is dismissed!

Citizens Academy 2019 - First Week at the Operations Center

Click on first photo to view as slide show

DPU Director Calvin Farr welcomed the 2019 class

2019 Citizens Academy class

Deputy Director Wayne Lassiter gave the financial overview

Program and Operations Manager Larry Grant explained customer service 

Utilities Field Supervisor Rodney Munford explains meter reading process

Program and Operations Manager Mickel Johnson explains streetlight history and operations

Warehouse and Materials Supervisor Jeff Carter 

Streetlight display

Answering questions after the presentation

Tour of the SCADA room to learn how natural gas flow around the region is monitored

Meter reading questions were popular!

Filling out satisfaction surveys after the session

Boxed dinners!

More meter questions!

The Operations Center Atrium