Smyrna natural gas official outlines leak prevention, urges callers to dial 811
May 01, 2026 | Board of Mayor and Aldermen Meetings, La Vergne City, Rutherford County, Tennessee
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The La Verne Board of Mayor and Aldermen heard a natural gas safety presentation on April 30 from a Smyrna Natural Gas representative who outlined the utility’s safety practices and public-awareness work.
"We had 22 hits to our system," the presenter said, explaining that a "hit" means excavation breached pipe surface and required repair. He said Smyrna’s hit rate per thousand customers is below state and national averages and that the utility has reduced strikes from 27 in 2024 to 22 this past year. The speaker noted the department received the American Public Gas Association SOAR award and that the system includes about 315 miles of mainline and roughly 12,594 customers (a figure the presenter called possibly out of date).
The presentation described routine safety work — leak surveys in residential, business and high-occupancy districts; cathodic protection to prevent steel-pipe corrosion; added regulator stations to serve growth; and public-outreach activities including bill inserts, radio spots and school career fairs. The presenter urged residents and contractors to call Tennessee 811 before breaking ground: "If you anticipate breaking the ground... please call 811." He walked the board through signs of a leak (odor of mercaptan, hissing, dead vegetation, frost) and advised calling the utility or 911 from a safe distance.
During a question-and-answer exchange, the presenter said 811 typically has up to three working days to mark utilities and confirmed there is no charge when residents call to report the smell of gas; there may be a pilot-relight charge in some situations. He gave the utility contact number as (615) 459-2553 and reiterated that residents should not operate vehicles, flip switches, or use cellphones near a suspected leak.
Why it matters: The presentation highlighted local gas-safety practices and damage-prevention steps for residents and contractors undertaking excavation. The utility emphasized outreach and multi-agency coordination to reduce strikes and respond rapidly to odor reports.
No board action was taken on the presentation.
"We had 22 hits to our system," the presenter said, explaining that a "hit" means excavation breached pipe surface and required repair. He said Smyrna’s hit rate per thousand customers is below state and national averages and that the utility has reduced strikes from 27 in 2024 to 22 this past year. The speaker noted the department received the American Public Gas Association SOAR award and that the system includes about 315 miles of mainline and roughly 12,594 customers (a figure the presenter called possibly out of date).
The presentation described routine safety work — leak surveys in residential, business and high-occupancy districts; cathodic protection to prevent steel-pipe corrosion; added regulator stations to serve growth; and public-outreach activities including bill inserts, radio spots and school career fairs. The presenter urged residents and contractors to call Tennessee 811 before breaking ground: "If you anticipate breaking the ground... please call 811." He walked the board through signs of a leak (odor of mercaptan, hissing, dead vegetation, frost) and advised calling the utility or 911 from a safe distance.
During a question-and-answer exchange, the presenter said 811 typically has up to three working days to mark utilities and confirmed there is no charge when residents call to report the smell of gas; there may be a pilot-relight charge in some situations. He gave the utility contact number as (615) 459-2553 and reiterated that residents should not operate vehicles, flip switches, or use cellphones near a suspected leak.
Why it matters: The presentation highlighted local gas-safety practices and damage-prevention steps for residents and contractors undertaking excavation. The utility emphasized outreach and multi-agency coordination to reduce strikes and respond rapidly to odor reports.
No board action was taken on the presentation.
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