Waynesville to conduct smoke tests on sewers

WAYNESVILLE — The village of Waynesville will perform smoke-testing on its sewer infrastructure, Thursday and Friday, Sept. 16 and 17.

Village officials said the controlled smoke-testing will enable them to locate breaks and areas of infiltration in the sewer infrastructure. The smoke will not enter resident’s home unless there is a defect in the building’s plumbing system or the building has malfunctioning drain traps.

Residents are advised to pour a gallon of water into each floor drain of each home or business before Thursday.

If smoke does enter a home or business during the testing, officials said there is a strong chance that dangerous sewer gases are also entering the home. If smoke does enter a home or business, occupants are advised to evacuate the building immediately and notify village staff at (513) 897-8010 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or at (513) 695-2525 outside of regular office hours.

If a resident is not at home at the time of testing and finds smoke upon his or her return, they are advised to call the village to have someone from the Utilities Department dispatched to investigate.

Residents with respiratory problems of who are immobile are asked to notify village staff at (513) 897-8010 prior to the testing date so that accommodations can be made.

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