Westside Village Getting Smoked

From Matt Hill, Director of Public Works

SANITARY SEWER & STORM WATER INFRASTRUCTURE SMOKE TEST

To the Residents & Business Owners of the Westside Village:

The Sanford Sewerage District and Sanford Public Works Department are conducting a cooperative smoke test of the sewer and storm water systems during the week of February 22^nd weather permitting.  The Westside Village encompasses the following roadways:  Twombley Rd (Main St – Kimball St), Kimball St (Main St to Twombley Road), Prescott St, & Shaw St.  This test will permit both entities to make valuable assessments of our vital infrastructure for the upcoming reconstruction project of the said roadways scheduled to take place starting in the spring.  Additionally, these assessments will allow us to maintain the Public’s health and safety by reducing the risk of sewer back-ups and sinkholes. 

The smoke is non-toxic, non-staining, and has no odor.  It is white to gray in color and creates no fire hazard but may trigger smoke alarms(unlikely).  The smoke should not enter your home or business unless you have defective plumbing or a plumbing fixture has not been used in quite some time.  This particular scenario occurs when the plumbing traps’ water has escaped and or evaporated.  However, if your building has a sump pump that discharges to a sanitary line (which is not legal), it is more than likely to allow the smoke to enter the basement area.

If smoke does enter your place of occupancy, there is good reason to assume that dangerous and or obnoxious sewer gases may also be entering the building as well.  Please note: if you have not used a plumbing fixture in the last 21 days, please run the water associated with each fixture for one minute.  This will allow water to be in the plumbing trap which will prevent smoke from entering the living area.

You will see smoke exiting from the following: plumbing vent stacks (roof location), sewer manhole covers, storm water catch basin, cracks in the roadway, roof leaders (gutters & drains).

We will have personnel in the area while the smoke test is taking place.  If smoke enters your building, please call Sanford Regional Dispatch Call Center at (207) 324-3644 x 1 and or notify the crews outside.

IIMPORTANT!  If there is any individual in your home or business who has a special medical condition, such as respiratory problems, or is immobile: please notify us at (207) 324-5313 as soon as possible so we are aware and can make some pre-test accommodations. 

If you have any questions please call: Sanford Sewerage District (207) 324-5313 and Sanford Public Works Department: (207) 324-9135