Beginning Wednesday, September 19 through Friday, September 21, 2019, ESG Operations will be smoke testing sewer lines. Smoke testing of sewer lines is performed periodically to locate sources of sewer odors, leaks, and breaks in sewer lines.
Sewer line smoke testing will occur on the above days between the hours of 8 AM to 5 PM in the following areas of Douglas: South Gaskin Avenue., Benton Drive, Pinecrest Drive, Brantley Boulevard, Redwood Drive, Elmwood Drive, Hollywood Drive, Vivian Avenue, and Frank Jackson Subdivision.
The type of smoke used for sewer line testing is harmless, non-toxic, white in color, and may have a slight odor. It is harmless to plants and animals. If the smoke gets into a customer’s homes, the home should be ventilated as soon as possible. On the outside of customer homes or neighborhood homes, customers may notice smoke coming from sewer vents, gutters and downspouts, and out of the ground along sewer lines. If the test smoke or its odors enter customer homes through plumbing or fixtures, this is an indication that dangerous gases and unpleasant odors from the sewer may be entering the home. This should not happen if plumbing is in good working order. To minimize the chances of this happening, customers should run enough water into the sinks, tubs, and showers to fill the sewer trap with water, as well as floor drains.
Customers are urgently advised to locate, identify, and correct any issues that is causing sewer gas to enter home or building. The correction of any defects in the pipes and sewer on private property is the responsibility of the property owner. Customer who detect sewer testing smoke in homes during the testing dates, should contact the City of Douglas by dialing 3-1-1, 912-384-3302, or 912-389-3447.