Pipeline Safety

If you have an emergency, call 911 immediately.

For information on the pipelines that cross the area and the companies that own them click here...

Here are some tips to follow if you live near one of these piplines, on how to recognize, report and respond to potential problems.

Recognize:

Your senses of sight, sound and smell are the best ways to recognize a pipeline leak. When leaks occur, these signs are the first step in protecting yourself, your family and our neighborhood.

Pipelines transport hydrocarbon products such as crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas liquids, liquefied petroleum gas or flammable gas. These products will appear as a liquid, gas, vapor or combination of the three when not contained in the pipeline.

LOOK for:

Discolored plants or trees surrounding the pipeline in an otherwise green area.

Flames originating from the ground or valves along the pipeline route.

A slight mist of ice or a frozen area on exposed pipes or valves.

A dense white cloud or fog.

Bubbling in standing water.

An oily or multicolored sheen on land or water.

LISTEN for:

A “hissing” sound from the ground near a pipeline or an area of the pipeline.

A “bubbling” sound.

SMELL for:

A strange or unusual smell – the products will have a typical petroleum odor like oil, gasoline or other fuel.

Report:

Reporting a pipeline emergency allows pipeline company and government agencies to respond quickly and reduces the potential for a situation to become more serious. If you discover a release or even think there might be a problem with the pipeline, take the following steps:

Call the pipeline company and give the operator your name, location and a description of the leak.

If you don’t know the pipeline company – call 911. Tell the 911 operator your name, location and nature of the situation.

Respond:

Responding to releases of products transported by pipelines is critical to the safety of yourself, your family and our community. Product releases can result in flammable vapors that could be hazardous if ignited. If you find a release or even suspect there might be a problem with the pipeline, immediately take the following response actions:

Do not attempt to extinguish a fire that may be fed by the contents of the pipeline.

Do not attempt to stop the flow of the pipeline by closing any valves or operating any of the pipeline equipment.

Eliminate and prevent ignition sources:

Turn off any machinery and/or equipment in the immediate area.

Turn off any lit pilot lights.

Do not light a match, start an engine or even switch on or off an electric light.

Do not drive into or near the area around the leak.

Warn others to stay away from the area.