CITY OF BRENHAM TO PERFORM SMOKE TESTING OF SEWER SYSTEM NEXT WEEK
The City of Brenham’s sanitary sewer system will undergo smoke testing next week.
Inspection crews from Compliance EnviroSystems will conduct the testing starting on Monday, January 26th and continuing through Friday, January 30th.
Crews will survey a portion of the city’s sanitary sewer system. The study will involve opening and entering manholes in streets and easements. The smoke testing of sewer lines helps to identify any breaks or defects within the system.
Residents may notice smoke from vent stacks on houses or holes in the ground. The city says the smoke is not toxic, is odorless and harmless, and poses no fire hazard.
The smoke 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 smoke can enter through faulty plumbing, the risk exists for dangerous sewer gases to enter the home.
Anyone with 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 within the easement of a resident’s property, they may need access to the manholes and underground lines. No digging will be needed unless the manholes are buried and their access is crucial for data collection.
Workers will take photographs of any leaks in the system. The smoke testing is expected to last a few hours per block.
Anyone with questions can contact the City of Brenham at 979-337-7400.