In the last paragraph of the release, the website address should read www.callbeforeyouclear.com
(sted www.callbeforyouclear.com).
The corrected release reads:
UTILITY COMPANIES LAUNCH NEW NATURAL GAS AND SEWER LINE CROSS BORE
SAFETY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AND WEBSITE
Officials from natural gas utilities representing operations in
Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin, North Dakota and Michigan, announced
the launch of a new safety campaign to raise awareness around natural
gas and sewer line cross bore issues, providing solutions to protect the
public. The “Call
Before You Clear” campaign and website provide useful information to
plumbers, sewer cleaning contractors and natural gas customers, about
the potential hazards associated with natural gas and sewer lines
intersecting underground – a situation commonly known as a “cross
bore”. It also includes contact information to be used for
participating utilities before a sewer line is cleared to ensure there
are no cross bores with a natural gas line.
“Many utilities use underground horizontal
directional digging to install natural gas lines beneath streets,
driveways and mature trees to minimize damage,” said Bill Kaphing, vice
president of operations for Xcel Energy and Call Before You Clear
campaign lead. “This approach is commonly used because it involves
significantly less environmental impacts and disruption to the community
than open trench digging. However, former utility industry practices
were less precise than they are today. As a result, vintage sewer lines
that were made of clay or not locatable may have been intersected
unknowingly when a natural gas line was installed.”
Before clearing a sewer line using mechanical equipment such as an
auger, plumbers, sewer cleaning contractors or customers should first
contact the natural gas utility serving the area. Participating
utilities will examine their records to determine if any potential
conflicts exist and whether an in-sewer camera inspection is needed. If
an in-sewer camera inspection is needed, participating utilities will
send a professionally trained sewer camera contractor to the location to
complete an inspection.
Contractors use a special camera that goes inside the sewer line to
identify any conflicts or “cross bores” with underground natural gas
lines. There is no charge for this service. Participating utilities
include:
“If you are having troubles with your sewer, or think you have a
blockage, call the natural gas utility serving the area before anyone
attempts to clear the sewer pipe,” said Dean Headlee, pipeline safety
and compliance manager for CenterPoint Energy. “In the past year,
participating utilities have sent information to trade organizations,
customers and rental companies regarding the dangers of cross bores.
This new campaign is one more step toward the elimination of pipeline
damages.”
Kaphing added, “We feel we can help prevent potential accidents by
raising the awareness of this potential hazard and requesting plumbers,
sewer cleaning contractors and customers to call the natural gas utility
before cleaning a sewer line.”
To learn more about the Call Before You Clear campaign please visit www.callbeforeyouclear.com.
Xcel Energy, 612-215-5300
or
CenterPoint Energy, 612-538-1234
Source: Xcel Energy