Recognize and Respond – The 3 S’s of a Gas Leak

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A natural gas leak can be recognized in three distinct ways - Smell, Sight, or Sound.


SMELL:     Natural gas is colorless and odorless. Before it reaches you, we add a distinctive, pungent odor -- a rotten egg smell -- so that od natural gas is escaping it can be quickly recognized.


SIGHT:    You may see a white cloud, mist, fog, or bubbles in standing water, or vegetation that appears to be brown and dead or dying for no apparent reason.


SOUND:     You may hear an unusual noise like roaring, hissing or whistling coming from a 
natural gas pipeline in the area.


DO’s:    What should you do if you suspect a leak? Just leave! Protect life first. Move to a safe environment. Then call 911 or the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities at (804) 646-7000. City of Richmond residents may call 311.


DON’T’s: DO NOT strike a match, use telephones, switch on or off appliances, a light switch or even grab a flashlight in the area where you smell gas. Those actions could produce a spark that might ignite and cause an explosion.

For more information, visit http://www.richmondgov.com/PublicUtilities/index.aspx