Pipes on Your Property
Call 811 before you dig
If you intend to plant a tree, build a fence, install a pool, or conduct any other outdoor improvements that require digging, call 811 first to notify your utilities company. This helps to keep you and our natural gas pipelines safe.
It’s the law
After you notify utilities of your intent to dig, your state 811 center will instruct utility operators in your area to clearly mark any underground utility lines on your property with paint or flags. When it’s time for you to dig, you can avoid hidden buried lines and stay safe.
Provide at least 72 hours notice prior to excavation activities, excluding weekends and federal holidays. It’s against the law to break ground before buried lines are visibly marked.
Inspect your pipes regularly
We recommend hiring a professional plumber, heating contractor, or leak survey and corrosion expert to perform periodic inspections. If you find unsafe conditions, repair the pipeline immediately.
It's important to keep the gas lines on your property well-maintained. Notify us of any lines connected to your gas meter, especially those situated underground. Buried gas lines require special attention as they can corrode or leak if not taken care of properly.
Examples of buried gas lines include:
- Outdoor gas lighting
- Gas heaters for pools or hot tubs
- Natural gas barbecues
- Natural gas generators
- Detached buildings with gas appliances
Access to your home may be required
This work can include meter quality tests, meter changes due to retirement, regulator inspections, public building inspections, and it may also require your gas appliances to be tested for leaks and carbon monoxide. Rhode Island Energy will contact you by postcard, letter, or phone to schedule an appointment if needed.
Appointments are completed in approximately 45 minutes at no cost to you.
Avoid blocked sewer pipes
Always call a professional if you notice a blocked sewer pipe. Pipes that are improperly handled may cause fires, explosions, or other serious damage. Unclogging sewer pipes can create gas leaks, so please always have a professional inspect the sewage blockages before attempting to clear them. Additionally, be aware of cross bores, which occur when a natural gas line intersects with a sewer line. This is a serious safety hazard and is mandated by the RIPUC to be addressed by professionals.
Construction is prohibited along a pipeline’s path
To protect both the pipelines and our communities, we establish strips of land along a pipeline’s path called Rights of Way (ROWs) where permanent structures are prohibited. Examples of permanent structures include homes, decks, trees, swimming pools, septic tanks, trailers, mobile homes, poles, tool sheds, and garages. While most of our pipelines run under public roads, some cross under private property.
A ROW can measure from 25 to 150 feet wide and is usually indicated with a marker that displays the approximate location of the pipeline, the material transported, the operator’s name, and an emergency telephone number.