What is a Cross Bore?
To help minimize sidewalk and landscaping damage, Ameren often uses horizontal or trenchless boring to install new natural gas lines. Sometimes these lines can be inadvertently installed through a sewer line outside a home or business. When this occurs, it is called a natural gas cross bore. The cross bore damages the integrity of the sewer line and can eventually lead to sewer backups. If a natural gas line is cut or nicked while attempting to correct the sewer backup, the resulting natural gas leak can create a serious hazard. 

What is Ameren Doing?
Ameren has implemented a proactive cross bore safety program to inspect sewer lines where trenchless methods were previously used to install natural gas lines. The objective is to identify and correct these cross bores before they create sewer issues. When Ameren installs new natural gas lines using trenchless methods, additional steps are taken to prevent the installation of new cross bores.

If you Experience a Sewer Backup
A clogged sewer line may be the result of a cross bore with a natural gas line. Take precautions before any sewer cleaning. Ask your plumber or contractor to use a camera to assess the cause of the blockage and clear the sewer using a plumbing snake or water jet rather than a cutting tool. 

If You Identify a Natural Gas Cross Bore
Call Ameren Illinois at 1.800.755.5000 or Ameren Missouri at 1.800.552.7583 to alert Ameren that you have identified a natural gas line cross bore. We will safely remove the natural gas line and make any necessary repairs.

Excavation Brochure (PDF)

Ameren customers can request to have an excess flow valve installed on the natural gas service line that serves their home or small business. Excess flow valves are an additional safety feature designed to shut off the flow of natural gas decreasing the possibility of fire, explosion, personal injury and property damage if the natural gas service line is significantly damaged.

Generally, the cost to the customer to have Ameren install an excess flow valve ranges from $800 to $1,500. The process of installing the excess flow valve requires digging to expose the natural gas service line where it connects to the natural gas main. While the work typically takes no more than one day, restoration of the excavation site may take longer.

Not every natural gas service line can accommodate an excess flow valve. We will inform you if for some reason an excess flow valve cannot be installed.

For additional information, or to schedule an appointment, please contact Construction Services to speak with a representative.

Ameren Illinois Construction Services

• Call 888.659.4540
• Email IllinoisConstruction@ameren.com

Ameren Missouri Construction Services

• Call 866.992.6619
• Email ConstructionHotline@ameren.com

Flood and Tornado Safety

Natural disasters can lead to hidden hazards related to your utility service. If your home suffers structural damage, and you smell or hear the sound of escaping natural gas, immediately evacuate the premises, then call 911 and Ameren Illinois at 800.755.5000 or Ameren Missouri at 800.552.7583.

• Do not attempt to relight any appliance or pilot lights.
• Do not turn lights on or off, operate thermostats, garage door openers, appliances or anything that could cause a spark.
• Do not use a phone or light a match inside or near the building.
• Do not open windows or doors to ventilate the building.
• Do not re-enter the property for any reason until Ameren personnel tell you that it is safe to enter.

Ameren personnel will restore natural gas service when it is safe to do so. In the case of flooding, if an electrical or natural gas appliance has been in contact with water, have a professional check it before you attempt to use it.

Dangers of Abnormal Snow and Ice Build-Up

Above ground natural gas facilities such as meter sets, valves and regulators must be kept clear of snow and ice. Snow and ice build-up can cause excessive stress on facilities and block vents causing equipment malfunctions and limit access to emergency equipment.

• All exhaust and combustion air vents for natural gas appliances must also be kept clear of snow and ice for your gas equipment to operate properly.
• Use a broom to keep natural gas meters and piping clear during the winter.
• Never use a shovel, ice chipper, pole or similar tool or even hit your natural gas meter or piping as this may damage equipment.

Ameren is committed to operating safe, reliable pipelines and protecting the public and the environment from natural gas emergencies. We continuously invest in hazard assessment and damage prevention through pipeline integrity management programs. Our highly trained employees monitor our system around the clock and perform regular maintenance to ensure the safe delivery of natural gas. If an incident or leak is detected or reported, we respond immediately – any time of the day or night. Visit the National Pipeline Mapping System for more information about pipelines operating in your area.

Call or Click Before You Dig
A key element in pipeline safety is a national One Call program that offers anyone who may dig a free service to mark the location of underground utility-owned facilities. Both Illinois and Missouri laws require anyone digging, regardless of the depth of the project, to call the locating service for their area. If you dig without calling One Call, you could cause injury to yourself and others, and potentially disrupt utility service to an entire neighborhood. You may even have to pay fines and repair costs. Whether you’re planting a tree or setting a post, contact the Illinois or Missouri One Call System by calling 811 before any digging project. The service is free, and it’s the law.

• In Illinois, this service is called JULIE (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators). To contact JULIE, call 800.892.0123 or make your request online. Your notice to dig must be made at least 48 hours (two working days) before excavation starts, and the project must begin within 14 calendar days from the call to JULIE.
• In Missouri, this service is the Missouri One Call System (MOCS). To contact MOCS, call 800.DIG.RITE (800.344.7483) or make your request online or through their mobile phone app. Your notice to dig must be made at least three working days, and not more than 10 working days, before excavation is to begin.      

Accidentally Hit a Gas Line?
Excavation damage is the biggest threat to pipeline safety. It is the law to call 811 and notify the One Call System before you dig. If you damage a natural gas line while digging: 

• Immediately move a safe distance away, going upwind of the leak.
• From a distance, call 911, 811, and Ameren Illinois at 800.755.5000 or Ameren Missouri at 800.552.7583.
• Ameren responds to natural gas leaks 24/7 at no cost.
• Keep everyone away from the site until Ameren arrives.
• DO NOT use anything that could generate a spark.
• DO NOT attempt to repair or backfill any damaged pipeline.
• Even if the hit natural gas line is not leaking, it is still very important to report scratches, nicks or gouges and locate broken wires immediately.

Customer-Owned Gas Lines
Ameren owns and maintains the natural gas pipelines that run to your natural gas meter. However, some customers also have buried natural gas piping that runs from the meter to outdoor natural gas-burning appliances, such as a heater in a pool or detached garage, a permanently installed natural gas grill, a natural gas light, or the natural gas fuel line from your meter that goes underground before entering a basement or crawl space. This piping belongs to the property owner. Ameren does not maintain the piping nor will the One Call System locate customer-owned piping. Customer-owned natural gas piping should be periodically inspected by a qualified professional for leaks and corrosion if piping is metallic. Have any necessary repairs made if an unsafe condition is found. When excavating near buried natural gas piping, the piping should be located in advance and excavation done by hand. Always call 811 before you dig.

Damage Prevention
Ameren is always working to protect our communities and serve as a reliable resource within the excavation community. Due to excavation damage being the biggest threat to pipeline safety, Ameren is involved in the investigation and documentation of natural gas damages, the accuracy of utility locate marks, excavation performance in respect to state laws, excavation activities near high profile natural gas facilities, excavators who are at fault of damages, and communication between utility locators and excavators. If you notice someone digging without utility locate flags, painted marks or painted stakes, report it by calling 811; Illinois 800.892.0123 or Missouri 800.DIG.RITE (800.344.7483).