What Is a Cross Bore?

Atmos Energy and other utilities that use horizontal or trenchless boring to install buried lines have discovered some locations where the utility line was installed accidently through a sewer line outside a home or business. When this occurs, we call it a cross bore. 

If a natural gas line is cut or nicked while unclogging a sewer line, it can create a serious hazard. Damaging a natural gas line can cause a fire or explosion and lead to even more serious damage or injury to those working on the sewer line and people nearby.

Read our Cross Bore Safety brochure to learn more.