Greenport Conducts Smoke Test of Sewage System

The is conducting a week-long smoke test of its sanitary sewage system to help determine where defects might be located, according to a statement from the Village Board. 

Workers have already completed a section near on Route 48 and an area near . On Tuesday they will start at Manor Place and continue toward downtown.

Village Trustee MaryBess Phillips said that homeowners, if at home during testing, should pour a gallon of water into each floor drain prior to testing, and that if smoke enters the home there is good reason to assume that dangerous sewer gases may also be entering the building.

"You should evacuate immediately and notify our work crews," she said if that is the case.

But the test smoke residents will see coming from the vent stacks on houses or holes in the ground is "non-toxic, non-staining, has no odor, is white to gray in color and creates no fire hazard," Phillips added.

"The smoke should not enter your home unless you have defective plumbing or dried-up drain traps," she said.

If residents are not home and discover smoke upon return they should call 631-477-0248. ext. 219. Any individual in a home or business who has respiratory problems and is immobile should notify the village at the above number prior to testing.