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Image Credit: FLICKR/FortisBC
July 14, 2017 - 11:15 AM
KAMLOOPS - If you smell an odour of rotten eggs when you turn on your appliances this morning, it's likely not from a gas leak.
FortisBC spokesperson Nicole Bogdanovic says the company has responded to 250 calls from Kamloops last night, July 13, and this morning.
"Customers will notice the smell of natural gas when turning on their appliances," Bogdanovic says.
This is because of an odourizer called mercaptan, which is added to natural gas in order to produce an odour if there is a leak.
But in this case, there haven't been any reported leaks, Bogdanovic says, just a higher level of mercaptan in the system than usual.
"It’ll work its way through the system," Bogdanovic says. "The situation is still fluid."
Just before noon today, Bogdanovic said the level of mercaptan is anticipated to return to normal within 12 to 18 hours. Bogdanovic encourages anyone who has significant concerns to contact FortisBC.
"Due to the significant number of calls it will take a little longer than normal," Bogdanovic says.
She says this occurrence isn't common, but it has happened before.
FortisBC encourages anyone with significant concerns about their natural gas to contact them, leave the premises and wait for crews to conduct an inspection.
– This story was updated at 12:23 p.m. Friday, July 14, 2017 to include new information from FortisBC.
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