Burning ban continues; City plans smoke testing of sewers

Burning ban continues

The burning ban continues throughout Jefferson County.

?The one-tenth, two-tenths inches of rain we?ve gotten here and there isn?t enough to cancel the ban,? said Fairfield Fire Chief Scott Vaughan this morning.

A burn ban has been in place throughout Jefferson County since 3 p.m. July 10 and will continue until the area receives adequate rain.

No burning of any sort, including fire pits and burn barrels, is allowed, Vaughan said.

But, he added, residents can use their normal gas and charcoal barbecue grills.

?Make sure the coals are completely out before you dump them and have some water nearby so it doesn?t spark a fire,? he advised.

City plans smoke testing of sewers

McClure Engineering Company, partnered with French-Reneker-Associates, will be conducting several weeks of smoke testing to investigate the condition of the city?s sanitary sewer system.

Prior to testing in an area, an informational door hanger will be attached to front doors, and residents can anticipate smoke testing of the sewers in their area within approximately seven days of the hanger being placed on the door.

The tests involve isolating individual sections of sanitary sewer and injecting a non-toxic, white smoke-like vapor into the sewers with high-capacity blowers to locate areas where groundwater and stormwater can enter the sanitary sewer system. The stormwater/groundwater can overwhelm the city?s sanitary sewer system and lead to sanitary sewer overflows and basement back-ups following significant rainfall.

The smoke should not enter into homes or businesses unless leaks or plumbing defects exist that provide a pathway for the smoke to enter. However, to minimize the possibility of smoke affecting a home or business, residents can take the following precautions:

? Make sure drain traps for basement floor drains and other plumbing fixtures are full of water by pouring approximately a half gallon of water in each drain, especially plumbing fixtures and drain traps that are not used frequently.

? Make sure basement floor drain clean-outs are properly capped for the next seven days after receiving notification testing will be conducted in the area.

? Notify any elderly or handicapped person in the neighborhood to ensure they are aware of the testing.

? If smoke is detected in abuilding during the testing, open up doors and windows to ventilate the room.

? While the smoke used in thetesting is nontoxic, acute exposure can cause irritation of the respiratory system. Individuals should ventilate any smoke-filled area and leave the room to avoid exposure.

Smoke testing will be limited to the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Residents with questions or concerns regarding the smoke testing can call Darrel Bisgard, Fairfield public works superintendent, at 472-4181 or Dan Nixon from McClure Engineering Company at 515-979-3837.

Fair booth features missing cousins

IOWA CITY (AP) ? The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation will display information about two missing cousins and have a lockbox to receive tips at its booth at the Iowa State Fair Thursday through Aug. 19.

Ten-year-old Lyric Cook and 9-year-old Elizabeth Collins have been missing since July 13, when they when for a bike ride in Evansdale.