A recent Federal regulation (49 CFR §192.383(d)) concerning gas pipeline safety requires the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department to notify its gas customers of their right to request installation of an Excess Flow Valve (EFV) on their existing gas service line. An EFV is a mechanical safety device installed inside a gas service line between the gas main in the street and the gas meter. The EFV is designed to minimize the flow of natural gas in the event of a service
line break. A potential benefit is, in the event that an excavator accidentally digs up the gas service line, the valve would operate to minimize or shut off the flow of gas.

EFV Conditions and Information
EFV’s don’t operate on all gas service lines and certain factors may exist where installation of an EFV isn’t warranted (see the detail below**). Many customers already have an EFV installed on the existing service line. To find out if you are eligible to have an EFV installed on your gas
service line or to learn more:

Call the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department at 781-246-6363 and provide your name, address and contact number. Someone from the Gas Division will return your call.

Fill out the online EFV Information Request Form at
https://wmgld.com/efv-form/

Installation requires Dig Safe notification and excavation where the existing gas service line connects to the gas distribution main. Gas service will be interrupted to the customer. The cost of installing an EFV may be at the expense of the customer. Individual estimates will be
provided upon request. The average standard cost of an EFV installation is estimated at $2,600. The installation of an EFV will be scheduled at a mutually agreeable date pending the approval of town and state permits and weather conditions.

**Customers with loads of 1,000 standard cubic feet of gas per hour (“SCFH”) or less are eligible for an EFV unless one or more of the following conditions exist: (1) the customer’s service line operates at a pressure of less than 10 pounds per square inch (“PSI”) gauge throughout the year; (2) WMGLD has prior experience with contaminants in the gas stream that could interfere with the EFV’s operation or cause loss of service to a customer; (3) there is a potential for interference with necessary operation or maintenance activities, such as blowing liquids from the line;
or (4) an EFV meeting the performance standards set forth in the Federal regulations is not commercially available to WMGLD.