GAS BUSTERS
RHODE ISLAND
Map of Measured Gas Leaks
This map was created in GIS to provide an overview of the leaks that
Gasbusters volunteers have measured over the years. Clicking on a leak
will reveal more information about the leak!
What's it like to gasbust?
A story from our recent work....
On October 16, 2022, a group of Brown University student-volunteers detected a 30% methane leak in a manhole at the corner of Jenckes and Pratt Street on College Hill in Providence. Upon testing, there was a noticeable gas smell coming from the manhole. The students immediately called 911 and waited at a safe distance from the manhole until the fire department arrived. The firefighters re-tested the gas leak and proceeded to knock on the doors of the surrounding homes to test for gas leaks in their basements – none were found. Finally, the firefighters called National Grid and waited at the site until they arrived. ​
The commotion on the street caused a lot of local residents to come out of their homes and ask questions about the gas leak to both the students and the firefighters. In several cases, neighbors reported passing the manhole and smelling gas for several months, but they did not know whether to report it. These anecdotes made clear to Gasbusters the need for education around gas leaks and what to do if one smells gas around their home, school, or workplace.
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On December 4, 2022, the students re-visited the leak. This time, there was a .3% gas leak in the manhole. When the two manholes on either side of the big leak were tested, .05% gas was detected