Lockridge sewer to undergo smoke testing next week

LOCKRIDGE ? Lockridge residents might soon discover smoke coming from their sewer vents pipes and in their basement, but not to worry; it?s all part of a test the city government and French-Reneker-Associates are carrying out on the town?s sewers.

The city and the engineering firm will conduct a sanitary sewer investigation from Monday through June 24, by blowing non-toxic white smoke into the sanitary sewer and recording where it leaks.

The purpose of the smoke is to locate areas where surface and ground water can enter the sanitary sewer system, contributing to its periodic overloading. Common places where water enters the sanitary sewer are through leaks in the pipes and drains and downspouts connected to it.

All sanitary sewers in Lockridge will be tested. During the investigation, residents may notice:

? smoke emitting from their sewer vent pipe on the roof. This indicates that the vent pipe is functioning normally. One of its functions is to provide an outlet for gases of any kind that might build up in the sewer.

? smoke in their basement. If this occurs, they may have a faulty trap in their plumbing. Sewer gas could also enter the house through this faulty trap. Some sewer gases are poisonous and explosive. Residents should notify their plumber and have them carefully inspect the installation and correct the potential problem. These traps must be full of water at all time to keep gases out of the house. In many cases, pouring water down the drain to fill the trap is all that is necessary to stop the influx of sewer gas.

? smoke coming from their eaves. If this occurs, it means their downspouts are connected directly to the sanitary sewer. The hookup should be disconnected as it contributes to overloading the sanitary sewer system.

? smoke rising from the ground. This indicates faulty pipe joints or broken sewer pipes and the smoke is escaping from the sewer through cracks in the ground.

? smoke coming from storm water drains. This indicates that the storm water drain is connected in some fashion to the sanitary sewer system.

If smoke is noticed in these or other locations, residents are asked to notify the testing crew by calling the city of Lockridge at 319-696-3311 or French-Reneker-Associates project manager Melanie Carlson at 472-5145.