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Public Utilities has contracted with Hydrostructures to conduct testing and surveying of the City's sanitary sewer system. You may notice Hydrostructures crews in your neighborhood. In an effort to locate defects in the sanitary sewer system, they will be performing smoke testing, manhole inspections, dye testing, night flow evaluations and CCTV inspections of the public sewer system in streets and easements. In areas where the crews will be working, notices will be left at residences and businesses several days prior. Your presence is not required during the work.

Don't be alarmed if you see smoke rising from manholes in the street or from the ground. Where there's smoke, there's not always fire. Sanitary sewer pipes run under the ground, so it's not easy to determine if one needs to be repaired. Smoke testing is a procedure used to detect leaks in plumbing and sanitary sewer systems. Smoke testing involves forcing HARMLESS smoke into the sanitary sewer system through manholes. The smoke is NON-TOXIC, CLEAN, HARMLESS TO HUMANS, PETS, FOOD AND MATERIAL GOODS, and  CREATES NO FIRE HAZARD. Please review the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the Hurco Liquid Smoke and the Lubspar Oil Smoke that are used during testing. 

During testing, plumes of smoke form where there are potential defects in the sanitary sewer system. By watching to see where smoke escapes, crews can identify problem areas in the pipes for further sanitary sewer investigation techniques. Smoke may be seen coming from manhole covers, storm inlets, or holes in the ground. On occasion, smoke may be seen coming from building foundations or roof vent stacks. However, the smoke should not enter your home or business unless you have defective plumbing or dried-up drain traps. If you have any seldom used drains, pouring water into the drain to fill the trap will help prevent sewer gases or odors and smoke from entering your home or business.​ All public safety authorities have been notified. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Smoke Testing

Current Smoke Testing Schedule

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Keith Havron or Michael Vieira​, P.E at 385-4171. ​​

Meter Testing and Replacement​

Water meters are used to accurately measure and bill for water consumption. Meters lose accuracy over time due to wear and tear and normally result in under-billing. In order to collect all revenue and provide equitable service to all our customers, the Department of Public Utilities replaces meters on a fifteen-year interval. The program is on going. The replacement interval is determined by optimizing the replacement and maintenance costs with lost revenue. It is also consistent with industry-wide studies and practices.

Public Utilities tests a random sample of old meters to confirm the replacement interval. As a result of the program, we recover approximately $57.00 per meter per year. Depending on the number of meters replaced, we recover as much as $350,000 per year.

The Department tests large meters in-place without disruption to its customers. Large meters usually have a by-pass installed so that service is maintained while the meter is being tested. The meter can be repaired, or replaced, without the need for a service interruption as well.

This program insures accurate and equitable service by ensuring that each customer is paying for the correct amount of water used.

If you have questions, please call the Department of Public Utilities at 385-4631, Monday through Friday, 8:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (TTY: 711).  Main office phone is 385-1400 and fax is 437-6363.

​Emergencies - Nights - Weekends - Holidays call 311 or 385-3111 (TTY: Please call 911)