What's That Smoke? Clearwater Conducts Smoke Testing Of Sewer Lines

CLEARWATER, FL — A contractor on behalf of the Clearwater Public Utilities Department, USSI LLC, will perform smoke testing of sanitary sewer system lines throughout Clearwater now through November.

The goal of smoke testing is to locate potential areas of cracked or broken pipes where stormwater or groundwater might be entering the sewer system.

White smoke will be circulated into the sewer lines and manholes to locate broken pipes and other defects, and it will exit from vent pipes on roofs. The smoke is non-toxic, leaves no residue and creates no fire hazard.

The smoke will not enter houses unless defective plumbing is present, or if the draintraps are dry. You can fill your traps by running water into the associated drain. If potential problems are found on private property, residents will be notified of repairs that may need to be made.

Smoke testing will take place according to this schedule, pending weather delays or other challenges:

Oct. 2-7: portions of Union Street (north), Intracoastal Waterway (west), Fairmont Street to Sunset Point (south) and Keene Road (east).

Oct. 9-13: portions of Virginia Avenue (north), Keene Road (west), neighborhoods just south of Sunset Point Road (south) and Belcher Road (east). Work also will occur in areas south of Sunset Point Road from Kings Highway (west) to Keene Road (east).

Oct. 16-20: portions of Sunset Point Road (north), Hercules Avenue up to the Clearwater Airpark (west), Palmetto Street (south) and U.S. 19 (east). Some but not all homes in the Top of the World community may also be in the testing area.

Oct. 23-27: homes and businesses in the vicinities of Northeast Coachman Road and Palmetto Street (north) to west of Keene Road (west), Drew Street and Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard (south) to just east of U.S. 19 (east).

Oct. 30-Nov. 3: portions of Drew Street (north), Hercules Avenue (west), Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard (south) and Bayshore Boulevard (west). There are a few small areas just north of and south of these boundary areas.

Nov. 6-10: portions of Chautauqua Park (north), Soule Road (west), Drew Street (south) to Cooper's Bayou (east). This week also will include sections of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard from just east of Belcher Road to Bayshore Boulevard.

Nov. 13-17: portions of Curlew Road (north), U.S. 19 (east), Countryside Boulevard (south) and McMullen Booth Road (east).

Areas of Clearwater that have already been smoke tested include Clearwater Beach and some parts of central Clearwater.

For more information, residents should call Clearwater Public Works at 727-562-4750.