Sharp Rise in Natural Gas Line Breaks, SDGE Warns

Residents and third parties broke 188 San Diego Gas and Electric natural gas lines in 2013 through September, the company warned Friday.

This a "significant increase" over 2012 when 143 lines were broken all year, spokeswoman Amber Albrecht said.

SDGE provides gas to Laguna Niguel, Dana Point and all points south of El Toro Road in Orange County, Albrecht said.

SDGE-owned pipelines typically extend from the gas main in front or behind homes and businesses to the gas meter.

Here are some warning signs of a broken gas line:

See

• Dirt or water blown in the air
• Dead or dying vegetation (in an otherwise moist area) over or near pipeline areas
• A fire or explosion near a pipeline
• Exposed pipeline after an earthquake, fire, flood or other disaster

Hear

• An unusual sound, such as a hissing, whistling or roaring near a pipeline

Smell

• Chemicals added to natural gas give it a smell like sulphur or rotten eggs
• The company warns that although a distinctive odor is added, don't rely on your sense of smell alone to determine if you have a gas leak.

The company asks customers planning to dig or who spot any of these warning signs to call their toll-free Underground Service Alert: 811.

Customer-owned gas pipes are the lines that run from the gas meter to the building or area where gas-fueled equipment or appliances are located, such as a natural gas barbeque. To have these customer-owned lines located and marked before a project, SDGE advises its customers call pipe and leak locating service companies or licensed plumbing contractors who provide these services.