The Lucas County sanitary engineer’s office will conduct smoke testing of sewer lines in Springfield Township sometime this summer.
At the May 16 township trustees meeting, administrator Mike Hampton said lines to be tested are primarily in the Lincoln Green subdivision. “Folks will see smoke emanating from ventilation stacks in the neighborhood and should not be alarmed,” he added.
Smoke testing identifies sections of sewers which may exhibit inflow during rainfall. Inflow areas include roof leaders, cellars, yard and area drains, foundation drains, abandoned building sewers, faulty connections, illegal connections and stormwater drainage system cross connections.
It also can detect structural damage and leaking joints in sewer pipes and overflow points in the system.
When crews visit the subdivision, they will place a smoke blower over the manholes and blow smoke through the sewer system. Wherever smoke exits, there is a potential for stormwater to enter the storm sewer.
The smoke used by the sanitary engineer is nontoxic, harmless and has no odor. It does not create a fire hazard, Mr. Hampton said.
Before coming into the neighborhood, the sanitary engineer’s office will place door hangers in the subdivision advising residents 24 to 48 hours in advance of the smoke test.
Prior to the test, residents are advised to pour one gallon of water into drain traps of floors, sinks, showers and tubs to prevent sewer gasses and smoke from entering the home. “If smoke does enter, residents should call a licensed plumber,” said Jim Shaw, sanitary engineer.
There also is a possibility that smoke could come out of a yard or driveway. “This could mean that there is a drain on the property which is connected to the house sewer line instead of the storm system,” he explained. “It also could mean that there is not a direct connection, but that the lateral has breaks or cracks in the pipe that drains runoff after it has entered into the soil.”
But such an issue does not necessarily mean the yard would need to be dug up. “There are many other solutions, such as disconnecting the drain or lining a portion of the house lateral without an excavation,” Mr. Shaw said.
He pointed out homeowners do not need to be home during testing and field crews will not need to enter any residence. Field crews will record the testing–taking photos and measuring distances– so the defects can be located.
~Jane Maiolo
