If you have a clogged or backed-up sewer, Minnesota’s natural gas utility companies are offering a reminder to “call before you clear” for safety to ensure that your sewer line does not …
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If you have a clogged or backed-up sewer, Minnesota’s natural gas utility companies are offering a reminder to “call before you clear” for safety to ensure that your sewer line does not intersect with an underground natural gas pipe.
The utilities have joined together in the Call Before You Clear safety campaign to raise awareness about the risks if natural gas and sewer lines cross each other underground between a home and the street.
“By promoting awareness of Call Before You Clear, we want to prevent potential accidents by asking plumbers, sewer cleaning contractors and customers to call the natural gas utility before cleaning a sewer line,” said Hannah Gullickson, the CenterPoint Energy Call Before You Clear campaign lead. “This campaign also complements Minnesota’s Call Before You Dig message: Always call 811 in advance to identify any underground utilities before starting projects that involve digging holes or installing posts in your yard,” said Tod Norgren, manager of Contract Services for CenterPoint Energy.
Some underground natural gas pipes may have been unintentionally installed through sewer pipes – a situation known as a cross bore. Cross bores can be dangerous because mechanical equipment used to unclog a sewer line can penetrate a natural gas pipe, resulting in a potentially dangerous gas leak.
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 property. The utility will review its records to determine if any potential conflicts exist and whether an in-sewer camera inspection is needed. If so, the utility will send a professionally- trained sewer camera contractor to the location to complete an inspection at no extra charge to the customer.
Participating natural gas utilities in the Call Before You Clear campaign include: · CenterPoint Energy · Xcel Energy · Minnesota Energy Resources · Great Plains Natural Gas · Greater Minnesota Gas To learn more, visit www.callbeforeyouclear.com
