The Township of Esquimalt Public Works crew will carry out testing of the entire sanitary sewer system in the municipality. The program will start on August 10, 2009 and will continue until late this year. Before smoke testing starts on your street, another notice will be distributed one or two days before the test.
The smoke is part of an evaluation program to determine whether surface rainwater and/or groundwater are entering the sanitary sewer system.
Reducing inflow of surface and ground water from entering the sanitary sewer system will help diminish, or eliminate the possibility of sewer backups during heavy rainfalls from mains that are not intended to carry these "clean" water sources.
Also this will reduce the volume of liquid to be treated in the proposed sewage treatment plant and could help reduce the share that the municipality will have to pay for the plant. Smoke testing is an efficient and cost effective way to identify and locate any possible breaks, defects or improper connections in the sewer lines.
Smoke testing involves blowing smoke-filled air through the sanitary sewer line. As smoke travels through the sewer mains and laterals, it is forced through any openings, allowing field crews to observe and record the smoke as it exits the system. Smoke typically appears from roof sewer vents, downspouts, catch basins or yard drains.
The "smoke" is not true smoke, but rather a mist containing a high percentage of moisture that is very visible in low concentrations. The smoke is non-toxic, leaves no residue and creates no fire hazard. During the test, you may witness smoke coming from vent stacks on buildings and from holes in the ground.
Before we conduct the smoke test, please pour water into your basement floor drains and into any unused sinks to fill the trap. If this is not done, the smoke could enter your building through the drain.
We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.
If you have any questions please contact:
Wayne Martin, Manager of Public Works
Tel: 250-414-7158