As part of National Fire Prevention Week, Piedmont Natural Gas is reminding customers about the importance of recognizing and responding to natural gas leaks. The company emphasizes that natural gas is odorless by itself, but an additive called mercaptan gives it a smell similar to rotten eggs, making leaks easier to detect.
“Our customers value safety, and we’re committed to continually educating the community about the simple ways to detect natural gas leaks,” said Brian Weisker, president of Piedmont Natural Gas. “Natural gas leaks can be managed quickly and safely if you know what to look for, and it starts with training your nose to recognize the odor of mercaptan.”
In addition to its distinctive smell, signs of a possible leak may include bubbling water, blowing dirt, dead plants in otherwise moist areas, sinkholes or exposed pipes. A hissing sound near a natural gas line or meter may also indicate a leak.
Piedmont advises that if anyone detects the smell of natural gas, they should leave the area immediately and call Piedmont at 800.752.7504 or 911 from a safe location away from the suspected leak. People are urged not to return until authorities declare it safe.
The company also recommends installing a natural gas detector as an extra precaution. These detectors are available at major retailers and home improvement stores; if one sounds an alarm, residents should evacuate immediately and contact emergency services or Piedmont.
Piedmont Natural Gas is a subsidiary of Duke Energy and serves over 1.2 million customers across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The company was recognized as having the highest customer satisfaction with residential natural gas service in the South among large utilities in J.D. Power’s 2024 study.
For more information on safety tips related to natural gas usage and detection methods, visit piedmontng.com.
