Recent Utah gas leaks prompt warning to call 811 before you dig

CLEARFIELD, Utah (KUTV) — Enbridge Gas is emphasizing the need for people to call 811 before they dig as several recent gas leaks have forced evacuations and road closures.

Since March, three different large-scale gas leaks have caused evacuations and shutdowns along the Wasatch Front and Back.

Sugarhouse, Clearfield, and Park City have all had gas leaks in the last five months because a construction crew hit a gas line.

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Jeff Hansen, director of pipeline integrity with Enbridge Gas, said in several instances, crews did follow a simple but critical state law: call 8-1-1 three days before you dig.

It’s a free service Enbridge offers to have a crew come out and mark where their utilities are underground.

“There are penalties and fines associated with that in the event they do not follow those protocols,” Hansen said.

He said the fines vary depending on the situation.

“Whether or not it’s a big project or small, doesn’t matter. Anytime you’re digging in the earth, planting a tree, doing landscaping, building a fence, putting in a pool, or a large construction project where again you’ll be excavating in the ground, again it’s important to call 8-1-1 so that you’ll know what’s below,” Hansen said.

Malinda Daybell of Tooele County said seeing construction on the roads there does make her wonder if the crews are following these rules.

“Hopefully they are, because if they break a line there is, like you said, gas leaks, and it’s not fun to smell it,” she said.

Hansen said first and foremost, it’s about safety.

“They could potentially put themselves in harm’s way. Anytime they hit an underground utility such as a gas line, there’s a potential for release of that product that’s in the pipeline itself,” he said.

That could lead to disruption in service, or worse, a fire or explosion.

Whether it’s a construction crew or someone just doing an at-home project he said its crucial to call 911 to know what is beneath the ground.

Hansen said if you suspect a gas leak, call 911. You can also call Enbridge’s emergency number: (800) 767-1689.

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