Gas

Natural gas is completely safe to use in and around the home, and has an excellent safety record worldwide. Strict industry standards, caution, care and safety awareness make natural gas as safe as any energy source can be.

Natural gas and propane smell like rotten eggs or sulfur. Because natural gas is odorless, we add trace amounts of a chemical called mercaptan, which has a distinctive rotten egg or sulfur odor. It smells bad for a good reason! In case of a leak, we want you to be able to detect and identify it. We never charge to investigate gas odor complaints.

If you smell gas or hear the flow of escaping gas, follow these steps immediately:

• Don't smoke, light matches, operate electrical switches, use either cell phones or landlines, or create any other source of ignition.
• Leave the building immediately; leave the door open and any windows that may already be open.
• Get to a nearby phone and call the City of West Point at 706.645.2226 or 911

Excess Flow Valves (EFVs) are mechanical shut-off devices that can be installed in the natural gas pipe running to the gas meter at your property (the “service line”).  An EFV is designed to shut off most of the flow of natural gas automatically if the service line breaks, for example, due to an excavation accident. Stopping the flow of gas from a broken service line significantly reduces the risk of natural gas fire, explosion, personal injury and/or property damage.

You may request that the City of West Point install an excess flow valve on the service line to your property.

​If you notify us that you want an EFV we will contact you to discuss your specific situation and the cost of installation and maintenance.  EFVs cannot be installed on some service lines due to high gas flow, low pressure or other factors.  EFVs are not designed to close if a leak occurs beyond the gas meter (on house piping or appliances). EFVs also may not close if the leak on the service line is small.  And, if you add additional gas appliances, for example, a pool heater, emergency generator, etc., the additional gas flow may cause the EFV to close.  If you request an EFV we will inform you if your service line cannot accommodate an EFV