SEWER SMOKE TESTING - IMPORTANT PUBLIC NOTICE

Hall Street and Lakeside Drive Area

Week of December 4th – 8th, 2017

Please Read Carefully!

Please be advised that the City of Nelson will be conducting Smoke Testing in the vicinity of Hall Street and Lakeside Drive during week of December 4th – 8th. Smoke testing is a common type of engineering assessment that has been used successfully for decades to help confirm and identify connections to the sewer system, and to identify improper connections and defects.

The smoke testing consists of forcing a non-toxic coloured fog, similar to that used in theatrical productions, into the sewer manholes. Smoke should not enter your building.

• The smoke is specifically manufactured for this purpose, leaves no residuals or stains on clothing, draperies or furniture, and has no known harmful effects on plants and animals.
• If you come into contact with the smoke, it is not harmful to your health. The smoke will dissipate in a few minutes. For added precaution, you may leave some windows open for ventilation purposes during the test. 

Smoke should not enter your building, unless:

• You have defective, damaged or improper plumbing including traps, tubs, showers, pipes and connections; or
• You have infrequently used drains that have dried out over time.

To avoid smoke entering your building unnecessarily, we advise you to run water into all drains for one to five minutes prior to December 4th, 2017; especially ones that are infrequently used such as floor drains and infrequently used plumbing fixtures. This water will fill the P-trap which creates a barrier and prevents the smoke from entering your house via the drains. *** Please do this upon receipt of this notice as the water in the trap will remain effective for several months.

If you do see or smell smoke in your building and it causes you concern, you can immediately report it to Public Works (250-352-8238).

• Smoke inside your building indicates that harmful gases from the sewers may have been entering without your knowledge.
• Location, identification and correction of the source of smoke entering your building are strongly recommended.
• Please do not be concerned if you see smoke coming out from your rooftop plumbing vent stack. This is normal (however, smoke from your roof downspouts is not).
• Please be advised that while the City of Nelson will render all possible help, the correction of any defects in the pipes and sewers on private property is the responsibility of the property owner.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR DESIRE MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL 

CITY OF NELSON PUBLIC WORKS 250-352-8238