CITY CONTRACTOR CONDUCTING SMOKE TESTING OF SEWERS

  

A City of Brenham contractor will begin smoke testing the sewer lines next week Tuesday.

Compliance EnviroSystems will be conducting Sanitary Sewer Smoke Testing on behalf of the City of Brenham.  Beginning Tuesday, November 9, weather permitting, inspection crews will be conducting a physical survey of a portion of the sanitary sewer system.

This study will involve the opening and entering of manholes in the streets and easements.  An important task of the survey will be the “smoke testing” of sewer lines to locate breaks and defects in the sewer system.  The smoke that you see coming from vent stacks on houses or holes in the ground is non-toxic, harmless, has no odor and creates no fire hazard.  The smoke should not enter your home unless you have defective plumbing or dried up drain traps.   If the harmless smoke can enter through faulty plumbing, the potential exists for dangerous sewer gases to enter your home.  If you have seldom used drains, be sure to add a few cups of water to them periodically over the next few weeks.  Also, it is recommended that you run your air conditioner at least once per week for the next few weeks to fill the condensation trap.

At no time will crews need to enter your home unless you ask them to look at a potential problem with your plumbing.  If the sewer lines are on the easement of your property, the crew may need access to the manholes and lines that are underground. Photographs will be made of leaks occurring in the system. The city anticipates the duration of the smoke testing will be a few hours per block.  Should you have questions or concerns, please contact Shawn Bolenbarr, City of Brenham Assistant Director of Public Works, at 979.337.7414.