SaskEnergy reminds homeowners and businesses to remove snow and ice build-up from around natural gas meters. Higher snowfall amounts this winter have resulted in heavier than normal snow build-up behind homes and businesses, where you typically find the natural gas meter. As melting occurs, ice can form on the natural gas meter and pressure regulator.
In addition, melting snow from rooftops can also form ice on the natural gas meter, as moisture freezes overnight.
Natural gas meters used by SaskEnergy have been designed to safely operate in Saskatchewan's winter conditions. However, ice build-up may affect the operation of the natural gas regulator. This is a safety design feature which prevents pressure from building up on gas supply lines inside a facility.
Two such incidents occurred recently in Moose Jaw when SaskEnergy technicians and emergency personnel were called to two businesses where natural gas was venting, because of ice build-up on the regulators.
Snow should be cleared from around the natural gas meter and above-ground riser pipe. Ice can be removed from the natural gas equipment by hand but if you have any concerns about doing so safely or damaging the natural gas meter and regulator, please contact SaskEnergy at 1-888-7000-GAS (1-888-700-0427) to have the ice removed. Also, any time you smell natural gas call SaskEnergy at 1-888-7000-GAS.Residents and business owners should also consider clearing a path in the snow to their natural gas meter to assist meter readers.
