Black Hills Energy moves meters in Lake Mills

Black Hills Energy has begun an on-going construction project in Lake Mills and several communities in North Central Iowa’s Webster City District. While the current natural gas lines are safe and functional, it is time to begin making upgrades to the system.
The extent of the work will include some service line replacements as well as relocating meters that are located inside of homes and businesses to outside the structure. By relocating the meters to the outside of the property, Black Hills Energy personnel and first responders will have quicker and safer access to the meters in case of emergency. It will also help alleviate future interruptions to the gas service during routine maintenance.
During the upgrade, affected customers will be without natural gas for a short time. Customers will be notified by the Black Hills Energy contractor, Q3 Contracting, prior to any work being done, and should expect to have natural gas service restored the same day. Scheduled work will require the contractor to access the homes or businesses at an arranged time to relocate the meter, if applicable, as well as relight pilots when work is completed.
As with any construction activity, there will be excavation in the location where the gas service enters the residence, as well as some excavation where the service line connects to the gas main. This is typically out by the street or alley. The contractor will have a restoration crew following behind them to restore any excavation areas.
“This upgrade will allow Black Hills Energy to meet our customers’ current and future energy needs, as well as ensure we continue to maintain our industry-leading reliability far into the future,” said John D. Thompson, Webster City unit supervisor of operations. “This investment in the system represents Black Hills Energy’s ongoing commitment to our customers to provide safe, reliable natural gas service.”