Damaged Natural Gas Pipelines
The most common cause of outside natural gas leaks is digging or construction that disturbs natural gas pipelines. To keep your property safe, don’t allow anyone to dig or drill on your property unless the locations of all buried pipelines and cables have first been marked.
“Help protect your home, neighbors and community by calling 811 before you dig. Having underground utility lines marked can prevent accidental damage from digging – either from a small shovel or a backhoe. It’s easy to do, and it’s the law.” - John McDill, VP of Pipeline Safety
An easy—and free—way to get this done is to call 811 at least three days before you want to dig. You’ll reach an 811 call center, which will coordinate with us, the electric company and other utilities to mark all the utility-owned underground pipes and cables.
Before You Dig
- Call 811 to locate your pipelines.
- Once utility lines are located, respect the markings.
- It’s free. It’s safe. And it’s required by law.
A call to 811 does not mark customer-owned lines or those inside buildings, except in Kansas. To identify those, contact a licensed plumber or qualified contractor.
If You Damage a Natural Gas Pipeline
Even if you just nick, scrape or dent a natural gas pipeline, call 911, then call Atmos Energy’s emergency number at 866-322-8667 so we can inspect the pipeline and make any needed repairs. The most minor-seeming damage can weaken a pipeline and lead to a future leak.
For more information about preventing damage in the first place, view our Damage Prevention Awareness brochure.