Community Corner
PG&E To Begin Safety Tests On Gas Lines In San Carlos
Energy Company Will Soon Begin Pressure Testing Underground Pipes For Leaks.
San Carlos residents attended an open house last night presented by PG&E to offer information about what to expect while underground gas lines are pressure tested for leaks.
The energy company has dedicated itself to doing comprehensive checks of its underground gas lines throughout the Peninsula in the wake of the San Bruno explosion last year, that claimed the lives and property of many residents.
The informational session was held at Trinity Presbyterian Church at 1106 Alameda de las Pulgas from 5:30 until 7:30 last night. Company representatives were present to answer any questions, or address concerns, that local residents may have had.
Testing will begin within the next month, and could last for about a month, said Brittany Chord, PG&E spokeswoman.
"This is all a part of our effort to update and validate our records, as well as enhance the safety for our customers," said Chord.
Workers will test the lines by pulling sections from underground, detaching them from service, then pushing water through the pipes at much higher pressure levels than what the lines undergo when holding gas.
The pressure of the water running through the lines will expose any leaks that exist, as well as clean the inside of the pipes. As a result, residents near the area may smell gas during testing, but they should not be alarmed as it is not an indication of a leak, according to a company document.
Should the water pressure drop significantly during testing, the leak in the section of pipe will be located and fixed. Another test will then be performed and if the pressure again drops, the segment of pipe will be replaced. If a line passes the test, it will be put back into use.
Each segment of line being tested will be expected to hold the same water pressure for about eight hours.
A PG&E pipeline runs beneath El Camino Real and Britton Ave. in San Carlos.
Traffic will likely be interrupted during testing, as well as before and after, as crews and trucks will need to dig up the lines. Residents can expect to see workers and heavy machinery surrounding the lines during the testing.
Similar tests have taken place locally in Mountain View, San Jose, Santa Clara, South San Francisco, as well as in the East Bay and other regions in California. Tests will soon begin or are ongoing in Menlo Park, Palo Alto, according to the company Web site.
Customers will not experience service interruptions during the testing, as gas will be fed through the rest of the lines from a remote source when sections of pipe are out of commission.
PG&E will test more than 150 miles of pipe across in urban areas, since the tragedy in San Bruno. And as a response to the explosion, the company reduced pressure of gas running in lines that have not yet been tested.
When the company is not pressure testing its lines, there is ongoing aerial and ground monitoring for leaks, according to a company document.
"Following the San Bruno tragedy, PG&E took significant actions to improve the safety and operations of our natural gas transmission system," according to a document from the energy company.
Concerned residents who were not able to attend last night, or who may have questions or comments during the testing, are encouraged to call the PG&E hotline 1-800-743-5000.
