Call 811 before you dig

Do:

• Stop work and move to a safe location.

• If gas is blowing… Call 911 immediately!

• Call 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268) from a remote location.
• Leave the area and alert others to stay away.
• Keep the public and traffic away.

Do not:

• Do not try to find or repair the leak.
• Do not start an engine or move equipment.
• Do not operate a pipeline valve.
• Do not use a telephone or cell phone in the area of the leak.
• Do not turn on or off any light switches, garage door openers or other electrical switches.
• Do not attempt to extinguish a burning gas leak.

Natural gas pipelines have exceptional safety records, but on rare occasions incidents do occur. If a natural gas pipeline is damaged, the natural gas may:

• escape into the air
• migrate into nearby structures, sewer systems and under frost caps
• possibly ignite

Call 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268) if your digging equipment or tools contact our natural gas pipelines or electric lines. Even minor damage, such as nicks, scratches, dents or gouges, can result in a pipeline failure, electric shock or major incident such as an explosion hazard resulting in injury or death and severe property damage if not properly assessed. If you smell or hear blowing gas, go to a safe, remote location and call 911 immediately.

Natural gas pipelines run throughout your community in residential, commercial and even rural areas. The National Transportation Safety Board says pipelines that bring natural gas to homes and businesses are the safest method of transportation for natural gas.

How natural gas reaches your home

Natural gas comes from the earth. It travels to your community through underground transmission pipelines.

Once the natural gas reaches your community, it passes through a gate station. Here, the local distribution company, such as Alliant Energy, reduces the pipeline pressure and distributes the gas to customers.

The underground pipelines within your community are called “mains” and are typically buried under or along streets. From there, a smaller service line brings the gas to your meter. Service lines are buried in yards.

After the gas passes through a meter, it belongs to the customer. Customers are responsible for installing and maintaining the piping that natural gas flows through to reach appliances and equipment.

Pipeline Markers

Utility companies use markers to show approximately where transmission pipelines run underground. Pipeline markers are typically placed at public road crossings, fence lines and street intersections.

Color and format vary, but all markers provide the pipeline content, operator name and contact phone number. In most cases, pipeline markers are not located on a natural gas distribution system inside urban service territories.

Visit the National Pipeline Mapping System at npms.phmsa.dot.gov to learn who operates pipelines in your area.

To learn about our integrity management program or other natural gas pipeline safety topics, call 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268) or visit alliantenergy.com/pipelinesafety.