AUB Crews Blowing Smoke to Test Wastewater Lines
AUB CREWS BLOWING SMOKE
TO TEST WASTEWATER LINES
ATHENS, Tenn. – Beginning on Tuesday morning, September 10, crews from Athens Utilities Board’s (AUB) wastewater division will test wastewater lines for leaks by introducing smoke into the lines to pinpoint problem areas.
“We smoke tests lines somewhere on the system about this time every year to keep it in the best shape possible,” said AUB Water and Wastewater Superintendent Craig Brymer.
This year the area of focus is in the residential areas off of Eastanallee Ave., just south of the Mayfield Dairy Farms facility. Area streets will include:
Central Avenue (606 Central to Central @ Slack Road)
- Slack Road (106 Slack Road to 314 Slack Road)
- Shell Street
- Tennal Street
- Park Wilson Drive
- Bellbrook Drive
- Hillside Lane.
Brymer said some 79 homes are connected to the main lines to be surveyed.
“While testing along these streets, we’ll evaluate weather forecasts and, if they are favorable, we’ll try to smoke test again the following week in a second section of this same general area,” Brymer said.
These second phase streets would be tested beginning Tuesday, September 17 and would include:
Chapman Street
- Central Avenue
- Blue Springs Road
- Hicks Street
- Lakefront Street
- High Street.
Smoke testing will begin each morning of the work at about 8 a.m.
“We actually blow smoke into wastewater lines so that crews can find any problem sections of pipe by observing if and where smoke comes from the lines or the ground,” Brymer said.
Residents may actually see smoke seeping from the ground, a roadside, or from a manhole in the street but only in focused, localized areas. Where this occurs, crews will place small, green flags to mark areas for further investigation.
In the past on rare occasions during smoke testing, some customers reported smoke coming from in-home systems such as toilets, sinks and vent pipes in attics. This would indicate an internal plumbing issue to check out, such as dry sink/shower traps, damaged drains, or improper venting.
AUB personnel are notifying area customers about the testing with a combination of individual phone calls, door knockers, and via traditional and social media to spread the word as well.
AUB notifies local emergency responders, such as the Athens Fire Department and 911 Communications Center, regarding the timing and location of smoke testing.
The smoke that AUB uses to find leaks is harmless. It is manufactured for the work and will not affect animals or plant life.
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