Sewer Smoke Testing Begins Tomorrow

Odd wisps of smoke from roof vents, building foundations and manhole covers over the next few weeks may not be cause for alarm.

Engineers will be smoke testing sanitary sewer lines in some Piedmont neighborhoods starting this week and and continuing through Aug. 2, according to an announcement on the City of Piedmont website.

E2 Consulting Engineers will conduct the tests Tuesday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. E2 employees will notify nearby residents via door hangers one to two days before testing begins in an area, the city's notice says.

"These tests involve blowing harmless smoke into parts of the sanitary sewer system to find damage, improper connections, and where unwanted storm water may be entering the City’s sanitary sewer system," the city notice says.

"As a result, smoke may be seen coming from roof vents, building foundations, catch basins, clean-outs, down spouts, broken sewer laterals or manhole covers. 

"The smoke will not enter your home or business if it is properly plumbed, vented, and the water traps contain water."

Chester Nakahara, the city's public works director, says anyone with a bathroom, plumbing fixture or basement floor drain that is seldom or never used should fill the plumbing traps by running water in the fixtures the day before scheduled smoke testing and on a monthly basis thereafter in order to prevent sewer gas from entering the home. 

The smoke used in the test is non-toxic and harmless to people and pets, Nakahara says.

Areas where testing will take place include several blocks on either side of Grand Avenue, La Salle Avenue and Hampton Road. You may see a detailed map on the test areas http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/publicworks/docs/smoke_testing.pdf here.

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