Sanitary Smoke Testing Project

Overview

Smoke testing is a cost-effective method of identifying possible issues within the sanitary sewer system. The vapor test results are used to pinpoint areas of the sewers which may require further investigation or immediate repairs. The results also help locate leaking manholes, structural issues such as cracks, improper sewer connections, and private-side sources of inflow and infiltration.

Status

The 2023 sanitary smoke testing project is managed by the RMOW and administered by ISL Engineering and Land Services. The subcontractor performing the operational works is Mar-tech Underground Services Ltd. The smoke testing is scheduled to take place from June 30, 2023.

Neighborhoods scheduled for testing

Alta Vista

Construction Impact

For instance, if smoke permeates up through the ground, it indicates breaks in the sewer line. Only enough force to overcome atmospheric pressure is required and smoke should escape from building roof vents.

The smoke should not enter your home from the sanitary sewer lines if your sink and drain traps contain water. If smoke does enter your home, this is an indication that sewer vapors also have the potential to enter your home and minor corrections may be needed to your plumbing.

Sanitary Sewer Smoke Testing FAQ

The purpose of smoke testing is to find potential points of inflow and infiltration in the public portion of the sanitary sewer system that could lead to high flows during storms and snow melt events. Smoke testing can also help locate the following:

Buildings that have downspout, cellar, yard or basement drains, and sump pumps connected to the sanitary sewer system;
Points of groundwater or surface water intrusion into the sewer;
Any cross connections between sanitary sewers and storm drains;

During smoke testing, field crews blow air and smoke into the sanitary sewer system in the street and monitor where smoke escapes the system. The smoke under pressure will fill the main line as well as any connections and then follow the path of any leak to the ground surface, quickly revealing the source of the problem. For instance, if smoke permeates up through a yard, it indicates breaks in the sewer line. Only enough force to overcome atmospheric pressure is required and smoke should escape from building roof vents.

Smoke testing is an efficient and cost effective way to locate and identify where unauthorized water is entering the public portion of the sewer system. The smoke is harmless and will disappear after only a few minutes. The testing is also a cost‐effective way to find areas of the sewer system that need improvement.

No. The “smoke” is not true smoke, but rather a mist containing a large percentage of atmospheric moisture that is highly visible at low concentrations. It will not harm your health or leave a stain and will disappear rapidly without leaving an odor. Since any vapor can be an irritant, direct contact with the “smoke” may cause minor respiratory irritation in some people. Individuals with respiratory problems such as chronic asthma, emphysema or other respiratory conditions should avoid direct exposure to the smoke.

No, provided that your plumbing is installed and functioning properly, and provided “traps” are filled with water. Drains that are used frequently should be okay. If you are not sure, simply run water down the drain for a minute to ensure that the trap is not dry. It is important to locate dry traps as they could allow sewer gases to enter the home. Dry traps are most commonly found in basement floor drains that are used only during rare flood events or in unused fixtures. Please thoroughly check your home.

If smoke enters your home during the test, it may indicate there are deficiencies in the plumbing that may allow potentially dangerous sewer gas to enter.

Since plumbing fixtures in your home or business are connected to the sanitary sewer system, there is the potential for the smoke to enter if the drains are not connected properly. This happens particularly under the following circumstances:

The vents connected to your building’s sewer pipes are inadequate, defective or improperly installed;
The traps under sinks, tubs, basins, showers and other drains are dry, defective or improperly installed;
The pipes, connections or seals in the wastewater drain system in and/or under your building are damaged, defective, have plugs missing or are improperly installed.

Do not become alarmed;
Open windows to allow ventilation and note the location of the smoke emission; smoke will clear within a few minutes.

We recommend evacuating as a precautionary measure in case the smoke is due to a real fire rather than a test, and also since smoke in your house from this test indicates other sewer gases may also be entering the building.

The “gooseneck” section of your drain pipe is the “trap.” The trap allows water to fill that section of the pipe completely. Since vapor and gas cannot travel through water unless under pressure, this effectively “traps” the gas in the sewer portion of the pipe. The vent on your system—the portion of pipe protruding from the roof of the building—prevents the gas from becoming pressurized and allows it to escape outside the structure. These two systems function together to keep potentially harmful sewer gases from entering your structure. If there is no water in the trap, the trap is not functioning properly. We recommend pouring water into building drains and fixtures prior to testing.

Check to see that all drain traps under basins, washing facilities and floor drains contain water; simply flush toilets and run or pour water into all drains, including unused fixtures and floor drains.

No. Inspection crews will not need to enter your home.

The purpose of the smoke test is to identify sources of unauthorized water entering the public portion of the sewer system. While it is also beneficial to note deficient plumbing connections on private property, this is not the main intent of the smoke test. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain private plumbing connections.

Yes, smoke alarms may be activated during smoke testing. If possible, open windows and/or doors for ventilation. If you have any doubts about the origin of the smoke, please call 9‐1‐1.

Smoke may be seen coming from roof vents, building foundations, manhole covers or yard cleanouts. Smoke coming from roof vents on the roof of homes is a normal occurrence and indicates to the crews that smoke has filled all sewers.

Contact

projects@whister.ca

Overview

Status

Neighborhoods scheduled for testing

Construction Impact

Sanitary Sewer Smoke Testing FAQ

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