New Search
<br /> w <br /> News Release Smoke Testing of Sanitary Sewer Lines Begins <br /> June 25, 1993 <br /> Page 2 <br /> will be v~sjble coming from the manholes in the street and from plumbing <br /> vents on he roof and exterior of buildings. <br /> To m'n~,mize the chance of smoke entering a home, Public Works asks that <br /> residents ir1 the testing area run water run water into all drains (even <br /> seldom us d'ones), including floor drains in utility rooms or basements. <br /> The e5ting program will alert residents to leaks in their plumbing <br /> system. tf traces of smoke is entering the home, it means the house is <br /> improperl plumbed and is allowing sewer gases to enter. According to <br /> Project M Hager Steve Stone, these gases are unpleasant and may be dangerous. <br /> Stone say the resident should call a plumber to correct the problem as <br /> quickly a possible. <br /> The smoke testing program is part of a larger project to find and <br /> correct defects in the sanitary sewer lines that allow stormwater and <br /> groundwater to enter into the sanitary sewer system. This flow of stormwater <br /> and groun water into the system is called inflow and infiltration (I&I). <br /> Inflow is frpm improper connections of roofs or storm drains to the sanitary <br /> sewer lines. Infiltration is groundwater that enters the sanitary sewer <br /> system thrlou~h broken pipes, cracks, and bad joints. Since Eugene's <br /> stormwater arhd sanitary sewer systems are separated, water that normally <br /> would not e!treated, enters the sanitary sewer system and flows directly to <br /> the wastew t$r treatment plant. This cost to treat and transport wastewater <br /> is increas dl,because of the added flows, which in turn increases user fees. <br /> For m re information about the smoke testing or I&I programs, call <br /> 465-2811. <br /> I'~ <br /> <br />