City smoke testing portion of sewer system
TREKK Design Group, engineers working with the City of Joplin, Missouri will be smoke testing sanitary sewers during the next few weeks as part of the City’s ongoing efforts to improve the sanitary sewer system and reduce infiltration & inflow known as “I/I.”
As the next step in identifying sources of I/I, TREKK smoke testing of the sewer lines have started and will continue through a central east part of Joplin, weather permitting. Boundaries of the area crews are testing include 4th to 9th Street and High Avenue to Ozark Avenue. A map of the smoke testing boundary is posted on the City of Joplin’s site.
Smoke testing is conducted by forcing a non-toxic, harmless, odorless smoke into the sewer lines. The smoke leaves the enclosed pipe in areas where there are cracks or leaks and makes its way to the ground’s surface, where personnel can mark the defect location.
Residents should be aware that the smoke will also follow the private line laterals and leave them through the roof vents in homes. Sometimes the smoke can enter a home or building through dry floor drains and p-traps or defects in the interior plumbing system. The smoke can quickly be removed by opening windows.
Door hangers with notifications and instructions to fill floor drains and p-traps with water have been distributed to all residents in the area that may be affected. TREKK will also have portable street signs posted in the immediate vicinity of the smoke testing. Fire/Medical, public works, and dispatch will also be notified with specific locations.
As the smoke testing takes place, TREKK personnel will be in the neighborhood to provide any assistance and answer any questions. All TREKK employees and vehicles will be clearly identifiable. The work is estimated to take two to three weeks to complete.