Following a weeklong delay, smoke testing began in Pittsboro on Monday, June 2.
The project will investigate approximately 7.5 miles of sewer lines in an effort to find any faults or openings in the system. A crew can smoke test 10,000 feet of sewer lines per day.
Smoke testing was scheduled to start May 27, but the start was delayed due to rainy conditions. Rain continued all week, meaning crews could not get any work done. But with the skies clearing, crews expect to begin work Monday morning. The whole project should take a week or so to complete.
The smoke testing will cover much of the Pittsboro area south of Highway 64. The areas can be seen on the map below. Crews will start in Basin 1 and work their way through the system until all areas have been smoke tested.
There's been no specific incident creating the need for smoke testing. Instead, TriRiver Water engineers said this project was a form of regular maintenance due to the age of the sewer system.
How should I prepare for a smoke test?
Prior to testing, pour ½ gallon of water in all basement floor drains or seldom used sink/shower drains and be sure to flush any seldom used toilets. This ensures that drain traps are filled with water and smoke will not enter the house through any normal, working sewer-line connections. This “traps” water in the pipes, and is called “filling your traps."
Do I need to be home during a smoke test?
No, homeowners do not need to be home during testing. But please do not leave pets unattended in a confined space.
SEE ALSO: More frequently asked questions about smoke testing