Section 7 – Safety Information

Excess Flow Valve Member Notification

Excess Flow valves (EFV) which meet new Federal DOT governmental standards are available to be installed in single existing residential or small commercial gas service lines, which operate continuously at or above 10 psig and with a total anticipated load below 1000 scfh. An excess flow valve is a safety device designed to automatically shut off or greatly reduce the flow of natural gas if the service line becomes damaged, resulting in blowing gas or service line breaks. Potential safety benefits that may be derived from installing an EFV in your service line, include a reduced chance of fire, explosion, personal injury, or property damage resulting from excavation related or other significant accidents. An EFV does not protect against slow leaks resulting from corrosion, threaded joints, or against house piping leaks which develop beyond the meter assembly.

CERC has been installing EFV’s on all new applicable service lines since January 2008, and will continue to do so. Members with qualifying service lines installed prior to 2008, have the option to install an EFV on their existing service. Excess flow valve installation is not mandatory. If you decide to have an EFV installed on your gas service line, you must pay all costs associated with installation and any possible future maintenance and replacement costs. Initial installation, maintenance, and replacement costs can range from $500 to $700, mostly due to excavation costs.

To see if you qualify for (and/or) to schedule an EFV installation, please contact our office at (800) 642-1826 to speak to a representative.


What You Need to Know

  • The member is responsible for the maintenance of all gas piping from the gas meter to all appliances.
  • Buried gas piping which is not maintained may be subject to the potential hazards of corrosion and leakage.
  • For your safety, all buried piping should be periodically inspected for leaks. If the buried piping is metallic, it should also be periodically inspected for corrosion.
  • If an unsafe condition is found, the gas piping will need to be promptly repaired.
  • When digging near buried gas piping, the piping should be located in advance of digging.
  • To Obtain Help: Plumbers and heating contractors can assist in locating, inspecting, and repairing member’s buried piping.

Theft of Service

Meter tampering or bypassing for the unlawful procurement of natural gas is illegal and prohibited by the Cooperative. The member whose meter has been tampered with or bypassed to receive the stolen natural gas will be held responsible for the theft. The Cooperative will take all reasonable steps, including the filing of a civil lawsuit if warranted, to obtain reimbursement for the loss of revenue and all associated costs with the energy theft.