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CUC sets final phase in sewer line smoke testing
The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. will be smoke-testing the sanitary sewer lines in San Antonio, Koblerville, Dandan (airport) beginning Monday, July 23, through Aug. 17, 2012. The testing, which involves forcing smoke into the sanitary sewer lines, will check for leaks, breaks and defects in the system.
The smoke is odorless, creates no fire hazard and will not enter your home or business unless you have defective plumbing or dried-up sink traps or floor drains. The smoke test should only affect your property for approximately 15 minutes. The smoke used for this test is manufactured strictly for this purpose, leaves no residuals or stains and has no effect on plants and animals. Direct contact with the smoke may cause minor respiratory irritation in some people.
If people in your building suffer from a heart condition, asthma, emphysema or some other respiratory condition and are planning to stay in the building during testing, notify the CUC Wastewater Operations at (670) 322-5032 (or 322-5033) to discuss your specific case.
Prior to testing, pour two gallons of water in any seldom-used sinks and floor drains to prevent sewer gases, smoke and odors from entering the premises. If smoke does enter your home during testing, immediately remove yourself from the building, notify the crews that are conducting the test or call CUC. Again, if smoke enters your home, it is an indication of a plumbing defect, so you should also notify a plumber. Please note, the correction of any defects is the responsibilities of the property owner.
Smoke that you will see coming from the vent stacks on houses is normal. However, smoke coming from holes in the grounds is not normal and is considered a defect. All such defects will be logged. The CUC will then contact the property owners if a defect is located on private property.
The smoke testing was recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a means of identifying problem areas in the sewer system. Eliminating system defects and illegal connections will help the community remain in compliance with federal legislation.
Contact CUC Wastewater Operations at (670) 322-5032 (or 322-5033) with any questions or concerns. (CUC)
