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Damage Prevention at Southwest Gas: Managing the Threat of Excavation Damage

Damage Prevention at Southwest Gas: Managing the Threat of Excavation Damage via Investigation, Education and Analysis. Mary Bartholomew Manager/Engineering Staff August 24, 2011. Southwest Gas Corporation. Arizona, California and Nevada 1.84 million customers

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Damage Prevention at Southwest Gas: Managing the Threat of Excavation Damage

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  1. Damage Prevention at Southwest Gas: Managing the Threat of Excavation Damage via Investigation, Education and Analysis Mary Bartholomew Manager/Engineering Staff August 24, 2011

  2. Southwest Gas Corporation • Arizona, California and Nevada • 1.84 million customers • 1,746 miles gas transmission pipelines • 30,055 miles gas distribution main • 1.81 million gas distribution services

  3. Agenda • Sewer Lateral Investigation Program (SLIP) • Damage Cause Database (DCD) • IRTHNetProgram • Public Education • Summary

  4. Sewer Lateral Background • Without the benefit of marking sewer laterals, some gas pipelines installed by boring have penetrated those sewer laterals • Subsequent sewer lateral blockage followed by mechanical cleaning has damaged gas pipelines and created hazardous conditions in the area near the damage • Incident in Phoenix, AZ, May 8, 2004

  5. Background

  6. Background

  7. Sewer Lateral Investigation Program (SLIP) • SLIP Phase I Priority Customer Classes: • Schools • Hospitals • Nursing homes • Trailer parks • Apartment complexes • Sewer Laterals Database • Field Investigations • Public Education

  8. Investigation Methods • Maps and Records review • Electronic separation • Video inspection • Dig and Inspect

  9. Video Inspection Technology

  10. Sewer Lateral and Main Cameras

  11. Locating Underway The Launch There it goes …

  12. Inspection and Video Recording

  13. Video Inspection TechnologyHand Operated Camera

  14. SLIP Phase II Criteria • Any pipe replacement project where boring is known to have occurred as an installation method • Random pipe replacement completed between applicable dates determined by each division • Propane and electric conversion projects where boring occurred • Phase II pilot began in 2007 • Company wide Phase II began in 2009

  15. SLIP Conflicts: Phase II Work SAZ – Tucson August 2010 SNV – Las Vegas, October 2010 CAZ – Apache Junction, AZ

  16. SLIP Phase III • Program shifts from services to mains • Same general criteria as the service investigations • Field work will focus more on the lateral launch equipment • Phase III began in 2011 • Full program complete by 2018

  17. SLIP Public Education & Communication • Ongoing public awareness program to provide further education and communication related to potential sewer lateral conflicts • The targeted public education is directed to the following: • Plumbing contractors • Equipment rental companies • Excavators • Available in English and Spanish

  18. Public Education & Communication

  19. Public Education & Communication

  20. Public Education & Communication

  21. Overall SLIP Conflicts Data Through April 2011

  22. SLIP Summary • Sewer lateral conflicts are threats to the integrity of distribution pipelines • Sewer lateral investigation programs have been effective in mitigating risks • Public education programs have been effective in mitigating risks • More preventative measures are needed in terms of marking sewer laterals to eliminate conflicts right from the start.

  23. Damage Cause Database (DCD) • Database was created to collect damage data • Uploads directly to DIRT • Originally collected damages resulting in leaks, now collects all damages • Provides consistency between operating areas • User group provides feedback into additions and corrections to collection process

  24. DCD Screenshot

  25. IRTHNet- Mobile Ticket Management Program • Ticket management across all three one call centers • Allows for immediate response to locate requests by field personnel • Provides better use of resources – eliminates duplication • Enhances the damage prevention program • Provides new opportunities for statistical analysis

  26. IRTHNet- Resource Management • Automatically Assign Tickets • Clear Tickets Quickly Using the Mapping Feature • Locators Receive New Tickets Throughout The Day • Automated Response to the Excavator • Automated Audit for Daily Ticket Volume • Reports for Productivity • Monitor Contract Locates

  27. IRTHNet- Damage Prevention • Notifications for Emergency Tickets • Due Date Alarm • Support Team Monitoring from the Office • Gain Time to Focus on the Locate • Electronic Records available to Management for Quality Control • Search Function – Find Tickets Quickly

  28. IRTHNet- Statistics, Reports & Features • Tickets per excavator reports • Responses for HP Standby, Bore and PVC • Special Agreements and Field Meets • Construction Activity around critical facilities and high-profile areas • Custom response screen to identify data points (White paint, Material, Pothole, etc.) • Custom reports for future performance matrix

  29. Public Education • Besides SLIP education, Company utilizes many methods for educating the public • Bill stuffers • Participation in Common Ground Alliance 811 initiative • Establishment of local CGA efforts • PSA’s • Attendance at fairs and conferences • Direct one-on-one contact and communications – field personnel information packets

  30. Summary • Managing the threat of excavation damage is a multi faceted effort • Sewer lateral encroachments are a hidden threat that can’t be ignored • Managing information and statistics helps bring your excavation damage program into perspective • Making sure the public is aware of the issues is an important part of the equation

  31. Questions?

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