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Natural Gas Pipeline Safety & Inspection Information

Two Important Key Messages

  • If you smell natural gas – an odor similar to rotten eggs – leave the premises immediately. Once you have moved to a safe location, promptly call Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania at 1-888-460-4332 and your local fire department at 9-1-1.
  •  Anyone planning to do any kind of digging is required to call 811, PA One Call at least three business days prior to starting work. Wait for underground utilities to be marked, then hand-dig carefully around underground utilities. The majority of incidents involving damage to buried gas lines occur as a result of digging.

We’re Committed to a Safe, Reliable Natural Gas Pipeline Delivery System

  • Depending on the type of pipeline involved, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania inspects its lines at quarterly, annually, 3-year and 5-year intervals.
  •  Our transmission class distribution lines that run through densely populated areas are inspected for leaks 4 times a year, and undergo integrity assessments every 7 years, in compliance with safety regulations. Integrity assessments are designed to identify pipeline issues before leaks or ruptures occur. Assessments are completed in a variety ways depending on the system involved to identify coating flaws or areas of inadequate cathodic protection. All problems identified during the assessment are addressed.
  • Since 2008, Columbia Gas has invested more than $155 million in distribution pipeline system improvements, including more than $50 million in 2010 to replace and upgrade more than 322,000 feet of aging underground pipe and distribution facilities throughout our service area.
  • Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania uses multiple levels of review to determine which pipelines require replacement. This includes computerized analyses and reviews by our engineering and operations departments.
  • We operate a staffed control center 24 hours a day, 365 days a year which monitors pressure on our major gas delivery pipelines. This center can remotely control or re-route gas flow, as well as immediately dispatch maintenance crews, if necessary.

    For more detailed information on Columbia Gas’ pipeline safety and inspection initiatives, please visit our safety page.