Gas pipeline safety



Preventing damage and what to do if . . .

Underground natural gas pipelines run along public and private property, serving our homes, businesses and public places. Prevent damage to underground pipelines and know what to do if damage occurs.

Spare the pipeline: use the hotline
To protect pipelines and other underground facilities from accidental damage, call Diggers Hotline at 8-1-1 or 1-800-242-8511 a minimum of three business days before you start any digging. Diggers Hotline will notify MGE and other utilities to mark their underground facilities at no charge to you.

Recognizing a gas leak
If you notice any of the following, call MGE's emergency phone number: 252-1111 for Madison-area calls or 1-800-245-1123 for long-distance calls.

• A distinctive, harmless chemical odor MGE adds to natural gas to help you recognize a leak
  

• Dead or dying vegetation in an area for no apparent reason
  

• White cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in standing water or blowing dust
  

• An unusual noise such as roaring, hissing or whistling

Respect right-of-way
The area along each side of the pipeline is called the right-of-way. The owner of the underground facilities has the right to restrict certain activities (even on private property). Right-of-way locations are usually on maps filed with local municipalities. Diggers Hotline can provide these details.

 

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