PG&E: Contractor at fault for Sonoma gas leak

A construction worker digging Thursday at a construction site at 841 W. Spain Street was at fault for the gas line rupture that prompted a “shelter in place” police alert for the neighborhood.

“The contractor should have been hand digging within 24 inches of a marked gas line,” said spokesperson Deanna Contreras. “Instead it was struck with an excavator.”

PG&E learned that the 2” main gas line had been breached at 2:42 p.m. Crews arrived by 3 p.m, Contreras said. The line was squeezed and gas flow stopped by 4:37 p.m. Repairs – replacing the damaged line with a new 4’ segment of plastic pipe — were completed by 5:50 p.m.

Meanwhile, first responders issued a “shelter in place” alert for the immediate area, and diverted traffic.

The lines in this incident were accurately marked, Contreras said. “Homeowners and contractors should remember that no matter how big or small the digging project is, call 811 before you dig and follow safe digging practices.”

In the Sonoma Division alone last year, PG&E gas lines were struck 77 times. Out of those dig-ins, 47 had not used the 811 service to have underground lines marked in advance. In 2015, the average cost of damaging underground utility lines, including fines and repairs, was $5,351.

“We are always reminding homeowners and professional contractors to call 811 in advance of any project that involves digging,” said John Ghigliazza, PG&E’s Sonoma Division Manager.

So far this year, he said, there have been an increase in 811 calls and a decrease in dig-ins. “We think that shows it really does pay off to make the call.”