OWENSVILLE, Ohio — Crews with the Clermont County Water and Sewer District plan to pump smoke through sanitary sewer lines on four streets in Stonelick Township and the Village of Owensville today, a test used to sniff out cracked pipes and illegal stormwater hookups.
The testing is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. on Jackson Pike, state Route 132, Short Street and Evans Court, the water and sewer district said in a Facebook post. Notifications have already been distributed to residents along the affected streets.
Smoke testing is a standard maintenance tool used by sewer utilities nationwide and is endorsed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as part of routine efforts to find and fix inflow and infiltration problems — places where stormwater or groundwater leaks into pipes meant to carry only wastewater. Excess water in the system can overload treatment plants and lead to sewer backups and overflows.
During the test, crews force a dense white or gray smoke, mixed with large volumes of air, into the sanitary sewer line through a manhole. The smoke travels the path of least resistance and rises wherever there is a break in the system, according to the Clermont County Water Resources Division, which oversees the county’s sewer infrastructure. The smoke can reveal broken or cracked pipes, damaged manholes, and roof drains, sump pumps or yard drains that were improperly tied into the sanitary sewer instead of routed to storm drains.
The county says the smoke is manufactured specifically for utility testing, leaves no residue or stains, and poses no danger to people, pets or landscaping. It is not a fire hazard. Residents may see smoke rising from manholes, roof vents, foundation drains or yard drains near their property during the testing window; it should dissipate quickly once the test moves on.
To keep smoke from entering a home, the Water Resources Division recommends residents pour water into floor drains before testing begins, which creates a seal in the trap. If smoke does get inside, the county advises opening doors and windows to vent it out. An inspection team stays on site during testing and can answer questions from residents on the spot.
Residents with questions about today’s testing can call the Clermont County Water and Sewer District at 513-732-7970.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Clermont County Water and Sewer District.