AUSTIN, Texas — East Austin resident Barbara Lowe says she hasn't been able to cook and has no hot water in her home.
Lowe's troubles came as a result of the gas being turned off at her home for the last three weeks due to a leak that was previously found.
"It's hard to not have hot water to shower. It's hard not to get up and not have gas to cook," said Lowe.
Lowe said it has gotten to the point where neighbors have offered to help.
"People offered me to come and eat at their house," said Lowe.
But Lowe just wants her gas line fixed.
Lowe says the issue first started in June when she smelled gas. She enlisted the help of the Austin Area Urban League (AAUL), a nonprofit organization that offers services to people in the community, which Lowe has used in the past.
Lowe said the group sent out a plumber who at first seemingly fixed the problem. However, months later, she started smelling gas again.
Lowe said she once again turned to AAUL, who then reached out to Texas Gas Service officials who turned off the gas.
KVUE reached out to Texas Gas Service on Friday. A spokesperson said while they couldn't reveal details about specific customers, they explained the process of what happens when a homeowner experiences a gas leak.
- When a customer calls suspecting a gas leak, it is always treated as an emergency, and we send a technician promptly.
- Once there, we determine if there is indeed a gas leak. If a leak is found on Company owned piping, repairs are made and service is restored. If a leak is found inside the home, we notify the customer of the repairs that need to be made and that they will need to have the repairs inspected by their plumber and/or the City before service can be safely restored.
- In circumstances such as this, our safety protocols require us to turn the gas off until we receive an “all clear” from the homeowner’s plumber, which may require a city inspection, who can confirm the safety of the piping inside the customer’s home.
- We work promptly on our end because we understand the importance of natural gas service to a family’s home.
- Once we receive notice the city inspection was completed, we send a team to restore service promptly -- often within hours.
The Texas Gas Service added that if someone smells gas inside their home, they need to report it and leave the area immediately. They should then call 911 and the Texas Gas Service emergency line at 800-959-5325.
However, Lowe has been having a hard time getting those repairs needed to start the process.
AAUL, Lowe claims, has not been as responsive to come out and fix the repairs this time around.
"They're not helping me... They want nothing to do with me," Lowe said.
Lowe believes the problem should have been addressed when the first plumber was sent back in June, and AAUL should be the ones to correct it.
"A plumber costs a lot of money and I cannot afford it," Lowe said. "I think that if Urban League did it the first time, [Austin Area] Urban League should come and fix it properly right this time."
KVUE reached out to Austin Area Urban League on Friday, but did not receive a response.