Four gas leak incidents occurred on residential streets between October and December in Gibsonia, according to residents and Peoples Natural Gas.
Three of the incidents — those that occurred on “Oct. 31, Nov. 12 and Dec. 18 on High Meadows Drive, Woodhill Drive and Forestwood Drive, respectively” — were the result of damage during excavation by “a telecommunications contractor,” according to Nicholas Paradise, a Peoples Natural Gas spokesperson.
No evacuations were required.
Paradise said the fourth incident, on Nov. 6, was “a leak on the customer-owned portion” of a home’s service line on Applejack Drive. A resident called Peoples about a possible gas odor in their home, and a Peoples service technician responded and found gas inside the home.
“The customer was briefly evacuated until the gas dissipated,” Paradise said. “Once the customer made the necessary repairs, Peoples returned on Nov. 8 to conduct a safety check and restore service.”
According to Richland Township Manager Brian O’Malley and several Gibsonia residents, including Michael Flaherty, Comcast infrastructure was being installed in the area during the period of time in which the gas leaks occurred.
For each of the three gas leaks caused by excavation, Paradise said, “Peoples field service technicians were quickly on the scene to ensure the public’s safety and make repairs.”
“We have followed up with the excavating contractor to provide additional education on best practices to safely dig around gas pipelines,” he said.
Paradise said Peoples continues to “maintain open communication” with excavating contractors, other utilities and local municipalities “on the importance of safe digging practices.”
“Pipeline damage that occurs during excavation is the top cause of gas emergencies, according to the Common Ground Alliance,” he said. “It is vital that any contractor or individual doing excavation work call 811 at least three business days before digging, so that Peoples and other utilities can mark their underground pipelines and help avoid damage to gas and other pipelines.”
Flaherty, who lives on Applejack Drive, said various telecommunications providers have worked in the area in the past couple of years, but he could not recall any issues with gas lines or internet getting cut until the incidents beginning in October. He said he and his neighbors experienced disruptions.
“So whenever the Xfinity crew came through, our neighbors two houses up from us, their gas line was cut by the workers, and then the next day, our internet was cut,” Flaherty said. “Our neighbor, in between us and the house that had the gas leak, also lost their internet.”
When asked for comment, Comcast spokesperson Jennifer Bilotta said Comcast “is committed to ensuring the safety of our employees, business partners and residents throughout the construction process.”
“In the event that issues occur, we collaborate closely with local authorities and utilities to address and resolve concerns swiftly and safely,” she said.
O’Malley said Richland Township’s interactions with “Comcast and Peoples Gas on this part of the installation process have involved the matters in which the township has purview and/or oversight, namely the public right-of-way permit process.”
“The township has directed residents to Comcast’s designated contact number for project-related questions or concerns,” O’Malley said.
Flaherty expressed concern that when he called the township to complain about the issue, he was given a phone number to call Comcast.
“You guys are the township that gave Comcast the license. I would think whenever a resident calls, being concerned about that kind of stuff, that you wouldn’t just be referred to people that are causing the problem to fix it,” Flaherty said.