Smelling natural gas can be alarming. As the District’s utility regulator, the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (DCPSC) works to ensure that Washington Gas (WGL) maintains a safe and reliable natural gas system for residents and businesses.
While WGL is responsible for repairing gas leaks and maintaining the physical pipelines, the DCPSC is the regulatory body that holds them accountable in the District. The Commission enforces strict
safety standards,
monitors utility performance, and sets rigid timelines to ensure the natural gas system in the District is safe and reliable for everyone. DCPSC oversight also includes monitoring WGL's ongoing
natural gas pipeline replacement programs, which are designed to modernize the District's infrastructure and enhance safety.
Learn more
WGL: Natural Gas 101: Resources, Safety Tips & Emergency Information
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration: Pipeline Leak Recognition and What to Do
Recognizing a Gas Leak
Natural gas is inherently colorless and odorless. To make it detectable, a chemical called mercaptan is added, giving it a distinct "rotten egg" smell. However, you should use all your senses to detect a potential problem:
- Smell: A pungent odor similar to sulfur or rotten eggs.
- Sight: Unexplained dead or dying vegetation over a buried gas line, blowing dirt or dust coming from the ground, or continuous bubbles in standing water or puddles.
- Sound: An unusual hissing, whistling, or roaring noise near a gas appliance or pipeline.
Emergency Action Plan: What NOT to Do
If you suspect a gas leak, your immediate priority is to evacuate the area. Because natural gas is highly flammable, even the smallest spark can cause an ignition. If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound,
DO NOT do any of the following:
- DO NOT flip light switches on or off.
- DO NOT use a smartphone or landline inside the house.
- DO NOT plug or unplug any electrical appliances.
- DO NOT strike a match, use a lighter, or smoke.
- DO NOT start a car engine or open a garage door with an automatic opener.
Leave the premises immediately, leaving doors open behind you to help ventilate the area, and call 911 and WGL’s Emergency Leak Line at 844-WASHGAS (927-4427) from a safe distance outside.
Understanding the Risks: Meters, Indoors, and Outdoors
Any natural gas leak is a serious concern, but the location of the leak plays a major role in how it’s handled. Gas meters are typically installed outdoors or in highly ventilated areas by design. If a leak occurs at the meter, the open air allows the gas to dissipate quickly, significantly reducing the risk of the gas building up to explosive levels. However, the DCPSC still classifies any meter leak as an emergency requiring immediate repair.
Outdoor leaks on underground pipes also require prompt action because of a phenomenon known as "gas migration." Gas from a compromised underground pipe can travel through the soil and seep into homes through foundation cracks, basement walls, or plumbing lines. This turns an outdoor leak into a dangerous indoor hazard because the gas becomes trapped in a confined space.
How Leaks Are Detected and Graded
You don't have to rely solely on your nose to know if there's a problem in the community. The DCPSC mandates that WGL proactively monitor and survey the District’s entire distribution system every three years, a standard that is stricter than the federal 5-year requirement. Using highly sensitive, vehicle-mounted Advanced Leak Detection sensors and hand-held equipment, WGL is required to seek out vulnerabilities before they become noticeable to the public.
When a leak is identified, it’s immediately assessed and categorized. The DCPSC requires WGL to grade every leak on a scale of 1 to 3:
- Grade 1 (Hazardous): Presents immediate danger and requires continuous, immediate action until the area is secure.
- Grade 2 (Non-hazardous currently): Presents a probable future hazard and is placed on a strict, regulatory-mandated repair schedule.
- Grade 3 (Non-hazardous): Expected to remain safe but is continuously monitored to ensure conditions do not worsen.
Should You Buy a Home Gas Leak Detector?
Because odor fade can occur (and because those with a diminished sense of smell may not notice a slow leak) consumers can purchase residential explosive gas leak detectors for an added layer of safety. If you decide to install one:
- Ensure the device is UL 1484 certified, the safety standard for residential gas detectors.
- Natural gas is lighter than air, meaning it rises and accumulates near the ceiling. A natural gas detector should be placed high up on the wall, typically 6 to 12 inches from the ceiling (unlike carbon monoxide detectors, which are usually placed lower).
- Many modern alarms are 2-in-1 units that monitor both explosive gases and carbon monoxide.
These detectors serve as an excellent backup, but they do not replace the need for immediate evacuation and professional help if you notice the signs of a leak.
Who Owns What: Understanding Customer Responsibility
When it comes to maintenance and repairs, it’s important to know where the utility's responsibility ends and yours begins. WGL owns and maintains the gas main lines in the street, the service line running to your property, and the gas meter itself.
However, everything "behind the meter," which includes the piping running inside your walls and the individual gas appliances, is the property owner's responsibility. Regular maintenance and inspections of your indoor equipment by a qualified plumber or HVAC technician are essential for preventing indoor leaks.
Preventing Leaks: 811 Call Before You Dig
Excavation damage is one of the leading causes of natural gas leaks. Whether you are planting a tree, installing a fence, or undertaking a major landscaping project, you are required by law to contact 811 at least 48 hours before you start digging.
Utility crews will come out to your property for free and mark the approximate locations of buried gas, electric, water, and telecom lines so you can dig safely.
Learn more about damage prevention and the 811 process.
Get Additional Help
District ratepayers have the right to a prompt, 24/7 emergency response from WGL without being charged for a safety investigation. If you feel your concerns are not being addressed, or if you are experiencing ongoing disputes with your utility provider, the DCPSC Office of Consumer Services can help you resolve the issue.