CITY OF BRENHAM TO BEGIN SMOKE TESTING SEWER SYSTEM

  

The City of Brenham is undergoing sanitary sewer smoke testing.

Starting tomorrow (Tuesday), inspection crews from Compliance EnviroSystems (CES) will survey a portion of the city’s sanitary sewer system.  CES crews will be around Brenham city limits today (Monday) in CES-marked trucks and uniforms, distributing door hanger notifications.

The City of Brenham says the study will involve opening and entering manholes in streets and easements.  The smoke testing of sewer lines helps identify any breaks or defects within the system.

Residents may notice smoke from vent stacks on houses or holes in the ground.  The smoke is non-toxic, harmless, odorless and poses no fire hazard.  It should not enter homes unless there are defective plumbing systems or dried-up drain traps.  If this occurs, residents should consult a licensed plumber, as if the harmless smoke can enter through faulty plumbing, the potential exists for dangerous sewer gases to enter the home.

Anyone who has seldom-used drains should add a few cups of water to them periodically over the next few weeks. 

Crews will not need to enter homes, but if the sewer lines are on the easement of a resident’s property, they may need access to the manholes and lines underground.  No digging will be done unless the manholes are buried and their access is crucial to data collection.

Crews will take photographs of leaks in the system.  The city anticipates the smoke testing will last a few hours per block.

Anyone with questions can contact the city’s Utility Customer Service Department at 979-337-7400.