Where Are Natural Gas Pipelines Located?

Natural gas is drawn from deep inside the earth and fed into pipelines that eventually feed into large transmission pipelines that crisscross the nation.

Once the gas arrives in Virginia, Richmond Gas Works distributes it through underground pipelines safely and reliably to its customers. Since these pipelines are underground, line markers are sometimes used when possible to approximate their location along a route.

These markers display the material transported (yellow means natural gas), the name of the pipeline owner, and telephone number of the owner in the event of an emergency or damaged pipeline. These markers only indicate the general location of the pipeline and cannot be relied upon to indicate the exact location of the pipeline.

Because many of these distribution lines are not marked, it is critical that people call 811 prior to ANY excavation. When excavation work is planned, the gas pipelines are identified with yellow paint markings or flags.

Natural Gas Damage Prevention Awareness - Call 811 Before You Dig

The greatest risk to underground pipelines is accidental damage during excavations. To protect our natural gas pipelines and other underground facilities, it is critical that people call 811 prior to ANY excavation related activities on public and private property. The law requires that ALL excavators notify the local one-call Miss Utility system by dialing 811 or 800-552-7001 before digging.

The one-call center will contact the owners of the underground facilities and pipelines in the immediate area of digging so that they can mark the location of their facilities prior to excavation.

Excavators are required to allow time for utilities to mark their facilities and are required to take certain precautions when working in the immediate area of underground facilities.

The use of mechanized equipment is prohibited within two feet of either side of any utility.

The one-call center can provide the specific details of what is required. Failure to comply with this law can jeopardize public safety, and can result in costly damages and substantial fines. Even if you cause what seems to be minor damage to a pipeline or gas facility (e.g., gas meters), notify the City of Richmond DPU immediately at 804-646-4646. A gouge, scrape, dent, or crease to the pipe or its coating may cause a future leak or failure. It is imperative that the pipeline owners inspect and repair any damage.

Natural Gas Leak Recognition and Response -- Top Things You Need to Know

A natural gas leak is usually recognized by smell, sight, or sound. 

• Smell - Natural gas is colorless and odorless. Before it reaches you, we add a distinctive, pungent odor (rotten eggs smell) so you will recognize it quickly. 
• Sight - You may see a white cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in standing water, or vegetation that appears to be dead or dying for no apparent reason. 
• Sound - You may hear an unusual noise like roaring, hissing or whistling. 

What should you do if you suspect a leak? 

• Protect life first. MOVE to a safe environment. 
• Call 911 or City of Richmond DPU at 804-646-4646. 
• DO NOT strike a match, use cell phones, switch on or off appliances, lights or even a flashlight in the area where you smell gas. These items can produce sparks that might ignite and cause an explosion.
  

For emergency personnel

• Emergency response officials should secure the area and take steps to eliminate ignition sources. 
• Evacuate the general public from the vicinity of the leak 
• Contact City of Richmond DPU at 804-646-4646 

For excavators 

• Immediately stop work and evacuate the site to a safe distance
• Immediately eliminate all sources of ignition (e.g., truck and car motors, backhoes, etc.)
• Call City of Richmond DPU at 804-646-4646
• Alert everyone on the premises
• Keep the public and traffic away 
• DO NOT try to fix the pipe or slow the rate of leaking gas
• DO NOT try to extinguish a gas burning fire unless there is a threat to life
• If you SUSPECT or become aware of a dent, scratch, or coating damage to the pipeline, notify Richmond DPU at 804-646-4646 immediately.

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.

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