Archived News Release: August 15, 2016 - The City of Ann Arbor is scheduled to assess the sanitary sewer system in the area bordered by South State Street on the east, East Hoover on the south, South Main Street on the west and East Madison in the north beginning Monday, Aug. 22, 2016. Local engineering firm OHM Advisors will perform the smoke testing on behalf of the city; they will be present in marked vehicles and with proper identification. OHM staff will post door hangers on residences and businesses 48 hours before smoke testing begins.
Smoke testing involves blowing mist through the sanitary sewers to find potential areas where storm water is getting into the sanitary sewer system. You may see what looks like smoke coming from vent stacks on buildings or holes in the ground. The mist varies in color from white to gray depending on density and lighting. It is NON-TOXIC, NON-STAINING, HAS A SLIGHTLY SWEET ODOR AND CREATES NO FIRE HAZARD.
The mist should not enter your home or business unless the plumbing is not functioning properly. If you have any seldom-used drains, please pour water in the drain to fill the trap prior to the test to prevent mist from entering.
Home or business owners do not need to be present during testing, which will be conducted during normal business hours. Workers will not be inside your home. However, you MUST POUR WATER DOWN SELDOM-USED DRAINS PRIOR TO THE TESTING; especially floor drains in your home or business. This should prevent mist from entering your home and setting off smoke alarms unnecessarily.
For more information, please visit: www.a2gov.org/SSIPE (open the image, right, PDF).
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