Testing to look for leaks in the City’s sewer system is scheduled to return next week, this time in the Spring Creek Basin area (see map). The testing is part of an ongoing, citywide, phased examination that began in 2017 and involves the use of a smoke generator to blow nontoxic smoke into manholes. The smoke travels through the sewer pipes and finds its way out, lightly billowing from the ground when cracks in the underground piping exist. The coordinates of damaged pipes are noted by the technicians, to be addressed in future projects.
Sometimes the smoke also emits through interior residential plumbing—the smoke is nontoxic and residue free, with minimal odor, and does not indicate a fire hazard. Residents are asked to run water through infrequently used pipes (bathtubs for example) prior to testing.
Testing takes around an hour for each partial street block section within the testing area. If you live on a block involved in the testing, you will see a door hanger placed on your front door about 48 hours prior to the test.
Video: www.vimeo.com/567234374
Website: www.cor.net/smoketest
