Ameren Illinois Responding to “Hit Lines”

Ameren Illinois Responding to “Hit Lines”

Ameren Illinois has seen a spike in third-party or customer dig-ins in our natural gas delivery system in southern Illinois as people are turning to DIY work in their yards. While calls to 811 are up, Ameren Illinois is still responding to “hit lines” where a contractor or homeowner has damaged buried natural gas lines while digging, resulting in leaking natural gas and emergency response by Ameren Illinois. “We still find there are many people who either do not know about the free locate service or choose not to call it,” said Eric Kozak, Vice President of Natural Gas Operations and Technical Services for Ameren Illinois.

Photo submitted by Ameren.

In the event that an underground facility is inadvertently struck while digging, there are two courses of action depending on whether natural gas is leaking.

• If the strike results in a rotten egg smell, blowing dirt or bubbling water, then natural gas is likely leaking. Immediately clear the area by foot and call 911, then Ameren Illinois at 800-755-5000, and then 8-1-1.
• If there is no noticeable release of natural gas, stop digging immediately and call Ameren Illinois at 800-755-5000. Ameren Illinois must arrive on scene to make repairs to the damaged line before the project can continue.

“Do not under any circumstance ignore a facility strike and continue working,” Kozak said. “Too often, people overlook damaged pipelines and continue working or attempt fix to damage on their own. This can create a more dangerous situation.”

Ameren Illinois 8-1-1 Fact Sheet

• Ameren Illinois delivers electricity to 1.2 million electric and more than 800,000 natural gas customers across central and southern Illinois.
• While much of the company’s infrastructure is visible above ground (e.g. utility poles and power lines), some electric and most of the gas infrastructure is located underground.
• The average contractor, excavator or homeowner starting a project may not be aware of these electric and natural gas facilities buried beneath the ground. And even if they are aware, many people mistakenly assume that the facilities are buried much deeper than they actually are.
• Whether installing a basketball hoop or planting a tree, Ameren Illinois reminds all customers to follow the law and call 8-1-1 before digging.
• 8-1-1 is the national number for utility locating and marking. In the Ameren Illinois service territory, the number connects directly to a nonprofit organization called Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators (J.U.L.I.E).
• When a call is placed to J.U.L.I.E., the caller must include the digging location (address), as well as the specific area (e.g. left/right side of the house, front, back) If J.U.L.I.E determines that Ameren Illinois has facilities in the location, they will generate a “dig ticket” that goes directly to both Ameren Illinois and whomever initiated the request.
• That dig ticket contains both a specific start date/time, as well as an expiration date. Excavating cannot occur outside this strict window.
• Ameren Illinois will dispatch a contractor, USIC or Stake Center, within two days to physically perform the locating service. The contractor marks different facilities with colored flags (e.g. red for electric, yellow for gas), ensuring the property owner or contractor knows the exact areas to avoid.
• Once the facilities are marked and the start time indicated on the dig ticket is valid, all digging within 18 inches on either side of a marked line (tolerant zone) must be completed by hand.
• The J.U.L.I.E service is available free of charge. Proactively calling J.U.L.I.E can help prevent a dangerous situation by ensuring all facilities are clearly identified before the first shovel hits the dirt.

You can also put in an e-request online at Illinois1call.com.

• In the event that you inadvertently strike an underground natural gas line, but there is no release of gas, stop digging right away and immediately call Ameren Illinois at 800.755.5000. Ameren Illinois must arrive at the scene to ensure everything is safe and begin making repairs to damaged facilities before the project can continue.

If there is a release of natural gas, (you may catch a whiff of the rotten egg smell, hear a hissing sound, see dirt blowing or water bubbling.) immediately clear the area by foot and call 9-1-1. You then must call Ameren Illinois at 800.755.5000 and finally J.U.L.I.E at 8-1-1.