NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORP
gas_distribution Incident — WATERTOWN, NY — August 14, 2023
Incident Information
| Incident Date | August 14, 2023 |
| Operator | NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORP |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | WATERTOWN |
| State | NY |
| County | JEFFERSON |
| Coordinates | 44.01646, -75.90162 |
Cause
| Cause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE |
| Subcause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE BY THIRD PARTY |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $70,134 |
| Emergency Response | $309,939 |
| Other Costs | $0 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
"CONTRACTOR STRUCK AND DAMAGED NATIONAL GRID'S 6-INCH PLASTIC DISTRIBUTION MAIN, WHILE TRENCHING TO INSTALL A NEW WATER MAIN. THIS CAUSED AN UNPLANNED INTERRUPTION OF OVER 230 CUSTOMERS IN THE AREA. THE 6-INCH MAIN WAS PROPERLY MARKED OUT, AND HAD INTACT TRACER WIRE OVER IT. THE CONTRACTOR DID NOT FOLLOW PROPER HAND EXCAVATING AND DID NOT KEEP MARKINGS VISIBLE AS THEY PROGRESSED IN EXCAVATING. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON MONDAY 8/14 AT APPROX. 10:49 AM, AND NATIONAL GRID ARRIVED AT 10:57; HOWEVER, WE WERE NOT AWARE THAT THIS INCIDENT WOULD POTENTIALLY MEET PHMSA REPORTING LIMITS OF $137K MINIMUM THRESHOLD UNTIL TUESDAY 8/15 AT 4:20 PM. UPON CONFIRMATION, THE NRC WAS NOTIFIED AT 5:50 PM. AS OF SEPTEMBER 9, ALL CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN RESTORED EXCEPT FOR INACTIVE/REMOVED METERS. TOTAL INACTIVE/REMOVED METERS IS 8. SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT FILED 9/13/2023 TO REVISE INCIDENT REPORTING TIME TO 10:46 ON 8/14/2023."
About This Pipeline Incident
Pipeline incident data is reported to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). All significant incidents involving fatalities, injuries, or property damage over $50,000 must be reported.