For Your Information – Sewer Smoke Testing on Ogden Drive – Thursday, August 30, 2018

Sewer smoke testing has been scheduled for Ogden Drive in Brunswick for this Thursday, August 30, 2018.

Routinely, the Systems Monitoring Crew of the BGJWSC goes through the process of determining whether the wastewater collection system is leaking in such a way that ground water may be seeping into the system underground (infiltration) or through broken cleanout caps or manholes (inflow). This testing is done to ensure that the wastewater treatment process is run efficiently, meaning a financial savings for all of our customers.

When work is being performed in your area, you will find a tag hanging on your doorknob. The content of this tag is show below:

NOTICE

Sewer Smoke Testing Operations

The public wastewater collection lines serving you will be smoke tested during the next several days. This is routine testing performed by all sewer utilities to find breaks or leaks in the pipes, and to identify illegal or improper connections to the system. This testing also provides a valuable service to you, our sewer users, by simultaneously checking the plumbing in homes and businesses at the same time.

If smoke gets into your building while we are testing in the area, please do the following:

• Open doors and windows, and turn on fans, to let the smoke out of the building;
• Try to determine how or from what drain the smoke escaped into the building;
• Leave the building or the room until the smoke clears.

Do not be alarmed, the smoke we use is not toxic and does not cause or indicate a fire. This product has been approved for use by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) for areas where people are present. However, inhalation of large amounts may cause nausea, so try not to expose yourself to any more than necessary. Asthma sufferers should leave the area immediately as any chemical smoke may bring on attack.

Please repair any broken pipe, toilet seal, washer connections or other plumbing fixtures that allow this smoke to get into your building. If this smoke can get in, the sewer gas and odors can also get in the building. Call us if you have any questions or any other concerns.

If this work is being performed in your area, please review the tag and be prepared to contact us at 912.261.7151 if you have any concerns that we can address. We consider it a pleasure to serve you and aim to make services as efficient and reliable as possible.