MARCH 12, 2015
CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC)
A contributing factor in many gas leaks in the Charleston
area is contractors and homeowners failing to notify proper agencies of their
road projects, according to SCE&G officials.
"Many dig-ins are caused by construction crews or
homeowners who fail to get their utility lines marked," said Kim Asbill, a
spokeswoman for SCE&G.
Asbill says in some cases, contractors are digging without
knowing where the gas lines are located.
"We're finding more and more that's related to folks
not calling 811 to locate the gas lines before they begin the digging
process," Asbill said.
Asbill said it is important, no matter how large or small
the digging project may be, for contractors and homeowners to call 811, 3 days
in advance before digging so that all utility lines can all be marked.
"The depth of the utility lines varies, and there may
be multiple utility lines in a common area," Asbill said."Calling 811
is a free service and it's the law."
According to Asbill, failure to notify prior to beginning an
excavation can result in fines of up to $1,000.
South Carolina 811, which is part of a national network,
uses GIS mapping technology to get contractors the vicinity of the lines.
Contractors then use their equipment to mark the lines.
"The detector will locate the lines that are
underground because really you don't know," Asbill said." It looks
like your sidewalk to you. It looks like your grass to you. But underneath
there are gas lines and there are electric lines and there are cable
lines."
Once the lines are located they are marked in yellow, making
it safe to start digging, and most likely avoiding a disaster.
According to SCE&G, in 2011 there were 196 gas leaks
caused by excavation. In 2012, the number rose to 263 leaks. In 2013, the
number of gas leaks dropped a bit to 224.
Last year, the number went up to 249 gas leaks and nearly
all of the incidents in Charleston were caused by contractors working on road
construction, new construction, and other utility and homeowner projects.
The cost to the contractor for the damage varies depending
on a number of factors which include the cost of labor, significance of damage
and location.
