Smoke Testing

We conduct smoke testing throughout our service area to identify the precise locations where sanitary sewer system problems exist.  The entire system is targeted for systematic smoke testing, neighborhood by neighborhood.  Area residents are notified via door hangers that their neighborhood will be undergoing smoke testing for the next few days.  These door hangers contain contact numbers so customers can call with any questions concerning the upcoming testing.

As the door hanger describes, harmless smoke is blown into the sewer system to locate damaged or failing sewer pipes that allow unwanted storm water into the system.  This unwanted storm water challenges the capacity of the sewer system and causes sewer overflows somewhere else in the system.  It is essential that these sources of storm water inflow be found and corrected in the Board's sewer mains and manholes and in the customer's service laterals.

As a result, residents may witness smoke coming from roof vents, cleanout caps, manhole covers, and any number of other areas.  Our field crews document the tests in a database, flagging any abnormalities for further investigation and/or repair.  Once the tests are concluded in a given neighborhood, the test results are compiled and private property owners are notified of any problems discovered on their property.  Problems are documented by digital cameras.  Those photos are downloaded into a personal computer on the service truck and are typically included in the defect notice letter sent to the property owner.